Is IBM still in Endicott? NY village sues company over water contamination

The village of Endicott is suing IBM for allegedly contaminating its water supply with hazardous chemicals, including 1,4-Dioxane and PFAS, among others. The lawsuit was filed on December 3, and reportedly, the village is looking for IBM to take accountability for aiding the closure of drinking wells.

As reported by WBNG, the village is "suing for comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability under the Liability Act, Public Nuisance, Failure to Warn, Negligence, Trespass, and Punitive Damages." Reportedly, the underground chemical contamination of the drinking water wells can be traced back up Endicott's downtown business district and to the former IBM campus.

IBM ended its physical presence in Endicott in 2023 when the company did not renew its lease with the village.

Everything to know about Endicott's lawsuit against IBM as the former claims the lives of its citizens are at risk

As reported by the Binghamton Homepage, Endicott claims to have found traces of 1,4-dioxane three times higher than the permitted levels in three of its wells, in addition to the concerning amounts of forever chemicals P-Fas. Per the outlet, the dioxane served as a stabilizer for chlorinated solvents like TCA and TCE, previously used in the way IBM handled the circuit board assembly process.

The former IBM campus was located at 1701 North Street in the village, and it remained operational from 1911 until it shut down in 2002. Just this 2023, IBM revealed that it would not be renewing the lease with Endicott. At the time, Mary O’Malley-Trumble, Senior Location Executive at IBM Endicott, said in a statement, per Press Connects:

"IBM’s long and fruitful relationship with the Binghamton-area community begins a new chapter this spring. The past few years brought significant modifications in the way companies operate, and IBM is no exception — we will be ending our lease of physical offices in Endicott. This news is bound to have a sentimental impact in this community, which is the birthplace of IBM.”

In simpler terms, IBM stands accused of not taking adequate measures to dispose of the industrial-grade solvents used in cleaning the metals in the degreasers on the campus. Hence, these solvents then leaked into the ground via the facility's drainage pipes before eventually making their way into the village's drinking water wells.

The complaint claims these improper practices go back decades, beginning in 1979. The suit also names instances of spills and leaks, such as when, in 1979, about 4,100 gallons of solvent leaked from one of the underground tanks. It contained traces of TCA (methylchloroform or 1,1,1-trichloroethane).

The lawsuit also claims that all the leakages and plumes emitted from the facility now pose a significant threat to the health and welfare of all those living in the village. Furthermore, the village would also have to incur all the massive costs that come with cleanup and mitigation.

In a statement to 12 News, IBM Manager of Communications Sarah Minkel said,

“IBM’s more than 40 years of remediation activities in Endicott, in partnership with the village and state, demonstrates our longstanding commitment to the health and safety of the community’s residents. There is no justification for the demands being made by the Village of Endicott in this matter, and IBM will vigorously defend itself.”

The Mayor of the village, Nick Burlingame, also chimed in:

"While our drinking water supply is monitored daily and is safe for consumption, our water sources have been reduced to a single well due to contamination, which is unacceptable for our residents and businesses,” Burlingame said. “This litigation seeks to ensure IBM takes responsibility for the resources and restorations to our water wells which are necessary to protect public health.”

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As reported by WBNG, plans to construct a new well in the Town of Union are underway, the village has revealed.

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