Brenntag: Durham Water Contamination Information Updates

Great news: NC Sues Brenntag - June 9, 2026

The NC Attorney General and DEQ have filed a lawsuit against Brenntag-South for illegal toxic chemical contamination of a creek in Durham’s oldest low-income housing development. Haw River Assembly has monitored water quality near the Brenntag facility and worked alongside Durham community members since this issue first came to light.

We have been following this development for over two years and are glad to see actions being taken to hold Brenntag accountable. You can read our full celebratory press release HERE.

For decades, families in this Durham neighborhood have lived with a chemical company as their neighbor, watching a creek behind an elementary school turn into something kids can't safely play in. Now NC has taken legal action because residents like Aidil Ortiz refused to stay quiet about the danger in her own backyard. Take a minute to read Aidil's words. This is what it looks like when a community refuses to be overlooked.

News coverage:

See our sampling information HERE.

Overview of Brenntag Mid-South (Durham)
Brenntag Mid-South, located in Durham, North Carolina, is part of a global corporation and is a regional distributor of chemicals and other industrial products,. The facility supplies chemicals to various industries, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.

The plant has been implicated in water quality issues that have impacted the surrounding community and raised concerns regarding public health. Brenntag Mid-South has also had notices of violation issued to them by the city and the state. Investigations have found high concentrations of chemicals, including toluene, acetone, and ethanol, downstream from Brenntag's property.

Drinking water has not been impacted. Drinking water is provided by the City of Durham and is sourced from Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir.

History:

In 2023, volatile organic chemicals (or VOCs) were detected in Third Fork Creek after a long investigation with the City of Durham.

Brenntag Mid-South Inc. is a global chemical distribution company with a site in Durham, NC. It holds liquid and granular chemicals in bulk storage facilities and repackages them for truck and rail shipments. The City of Durham was telling the public to stay out of the creek running through Burton Park at that time.

As of January 9, our ongoing water quality monitoring near the Brenntag Mid-South chemical distribution facility continues to reveal concerning contamination levels in Burton Creek. Recent sampling has detected elevated levels of methylene chloride, classified by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen.

This toxic solvent, which is used in paint strippers, degreasers, and industrial processes, poses serious health risks including liver damage, respiratory problems, and increased cancer risk. The creek flows through Burton Park and an elementary school playground in the predominantly Black McDougald Terrace neighborhood.

We will be joining community meetings to discuss the City of Durham's contract to address Brenntag and identifying interconnecting issues and community assets for the work together ahead.

Overview of Brenntag Mid-South (Durham)
Brenntag Mid-South, located in Durham, North Carolina, is part of a global corporation and is a regional distributor of chemicals and other industrial products,. The facility supplies chemicals to various industries, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.

The plant has been implicated in water quality issues that have impacted the surrounding community and raised concerns regarding public health. Brenntag Mid-South has also had notices of violation issued to them by the city and the state. Investigations have found high concentrations of chemicals, including toluene, acetone, and ethanol, downstream from Brenntag's property.

Drinking water has not been impacted. Drinking water is provided by the City of Durham and is sourced from Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir.