The new chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners says he wants the county to deal with water problems faced by residents who have wells that have elevated levels of a potentially harmful chemical.
“That’s the thing I see as the most pressing,” he said.
It’s not known if those effects are the same in humans.
Lancaster said he wants the county to work with state officials.
The county school system has been providing bottled water to students at Gray’s Creek and Alderman elementary schools since traces of GenX were found in a well that provides water to Gray’s Creek.
The schools are about four miles from the Chemours plant.
Lancaster took the commissioners’ gavel from Glenn Adams, who has served as chairman for the past year.
Adams talked about GenX before the commissioners’ elected a new chairman.
“We will take care of those citizens in Gray’s Creek and near that plant,” he said.
“I’m proud to have served the citizens.” Adams thanked Commissioner Charles Evans for his work as vice chairman.