Environmental Activist Erin Brockovich Takes on Corporates Over Water Contamination Issues

By Dan DeBaun

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich met with residents of West Michigan last month to encourage those who have been affected by water contamination to join a class action lawsuit that is being filed against the companies that have caused the contamination.

When it comes to taking on the big guys, Erin Brockovich has proved her mettle. In 1991 she investigated and reported on the effect of water contamination on the health of residents of Hinkley, a small Californian town. The groundbreaking story was made into a thrilling Hollywood movie, named after her, with the lead role played by Julia Roberts.

Erin Brockovich

Erin Brockovich

"I got involved in a situation many years ago in Hinckley with people," Brockovich said in an interview with Fox News. "I believed them I did not think they were making up stories, my common sense was telling me something wasn't right."

After conducting a lengthy investigation, Brockovich exposed the extent and impact of groundwater contamination, and ultimately helped the residents of Hinkley win a staggering $333 million lawsuit — the largest in US history.

So what got Brockovich so interested in West Michigan?

"I was home and fired up my morning computer because I get emails from 126 countries and territories and I had over 50 the first go-around coming from different sections of the county but they were all about Wolverine and PFAs," Brockovich told Fox News.

Many West Michigan residents who have been adversely affected by hazardous PFA chemicals (Berkey PFA Removal Tests), that have seeped into their drinking water supply from Wolverine's chemical disposal sites have sought Brockovich's help. And Brockovich, who is aware of the scope and scale of the problem, is keen to assist them with their fight.

"In Alabama, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Minnesota, now Michigan, Colorado, California. It`s a bad actor and it`s a big problem and it`s wide spread," she explains in the Fox interview.

Concerned West Michigan residents affected by water contamination hope that Brockovich's input with a lawsuit filed on the 1st December 2017 will provide them with answers they so desperately seek.

"When they have the truth they at least have something tangible that they can work with, that they can talk to doctors about, that they can learn about and that is how we best protest ourselves - through information and awareness," explains Brockovich.

But the question remains, will a big payout from Wolverine Worldwide and 3M resolve the issue? It's not going to make people better and it's not going to bring back loved ones who have succumbed to illnesses linked to the contamination.

But Brockovich stands firm. For her, it's not about the money, it's largely about companies taking accountability for their actions or lack thereof, and compensating victims to some degree. Brockovich has fought this battle before and won, and plans to stand beside the residents of West Michigan as they take on the big corporations in their David versus Goliath quest.

It's time that residents take a stand against corporations that pollute critical water sources and endanger people's health. And even though no amount of money in the world will bring back deceased loved ones, it can force polluters to clean up their act. Hitting corporations with hefty law suits is not only bad for public relations but more importantly it hits them where it hurts them most — it hurts them financially, and ultimately affects their profits.

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Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun is the owner and operator of Big Berkey Water Filters. Prior to Berkey, Dan was an asset manager for a major telecommunications company. He graduated from Rutgers with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, followed by an MBA in finance from Rutgers as well. Dan enjoys biohacking, exercising, meditation, beach life, and spending time with family and friends.

~ The Owner of Big Berkey Water Filters

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