The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has decided to engage a law firm to deal with Chemours contamination of well water in the Gray’s Creek area. “Developing a long-term financially sustainable water system that will address GENX contamination is one of this board’s top priorities,” said County Commission Chairman Charles Evans. County Manager Amy Cannon noted the county has been in discussion with Chemours for a year and a half about funding a public water system to address the contamination of private wells in the area near Chemours’ Fayetteville Works plant on the Cumberland-Bladen County line. “We had hoped to be able to resolve it to our mutual satisfaction,” Cannon said. “At this point, we believe the next step is to hire a legal team to assist us with funding.” Cannon has projected that it will cost about $64 million to build a water system in the Gray’s Creek area. Commissioner Toni Stewart, who lives there, said her neighbors are worried about their health. “Ultimately the sooner we can get a public water system in place the sooner we can mitigate this serious public health issue,” said County Attorney Rick Moorefield. In January 2020, Cumberland County Commissioners agreed to set aside $10.5 million to help pay for public water in the area. The first phase would provide water along Alderman Road and the Gray’s Creek Elementary Schools.