Million dollar lawsuit: PFAS scandal brings Rastatt waterworks to its knees!

Million dollar lawsuit: PFAS scandal brings Rastatt waterworks to its knees!

A controversial PFAS environmental scandal is causing a stir in the heart of Baden-Württemberg. On October 27, 2025, the civil case for damages amounting to millions will be continued at the Baden-Baden Regional Court, a case that has been pending since March 2022. After a three and a half year break, an expert report is now available that could lead to new clarifications on the matter. The SWR reports that the Rastatt public utility company is defending itself with a lawsuit worth 6.5 million euros against a compost entrepreneur who is said to have used paper sludge containing PFAS in compost production between 2006 and 2008.

PFAS, also known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, are known for their longevity and harmful effects on the environment. These substances have already spread extensively in the soil and waters of the region and are very difficult to break down. This not only puts the environment at risk, but also people's health, as some of these compounds are classified as carcinogenic and can disrupt hormonal balance. This puts the issue on the agenda in the region, as over 1,000 hectares of arable land are affected in the area around Rastatt and Baden-Baden alone.

The status of the process

The process aims to clarify the question of liability and not the question of guilt. Although the Rastatt public utility company alleges that the PFAS contamination occurred through the large-scale spread of contaminated paper sludge, the defendant, the environmental partner Vogel AG, denies any responsibility. The expert will be heard in person at the hearing and both parties have already been able to submit written statements on the report. The managing director of Stadtwerke Rastatt, Olaf Kaspryk, emphasizes the responsibility for providing safe drinking water and the need for measures to prevent damage.

The municipal utilities have now invested significantly in equipping their waterworks with filter technology to remove PFAS. A third waterworks even had to be shut down in order to secure the drinking water supply, which has led to increased water prices in the region, which are ultimately borne by the customers. Over the years since the lawsuit was filed in May 2019, net damages amounting to 6.5 million euros have accumulated.

Impact and future

The PFAS pollution in Mittelbaden not only affects the waterworks, but also the soil and the entire environmental situation in the region. The dreaded substances are contained in numerous everyday objects such as pizza boxes and coated pans and are noisy Rastatt public utilities Some of them will have to be examined for 20 relevant compounds from 2026. Both the municipal utilities and the municipality of Hügelsheim, which is also demanding compensation of 150,000 euros from the same entrepreneur, are hoping that the Baden-Baden regional court will clarify their responsibilities.

The controversy over PFAS contamination is emblematic of the challenges that pollution can pose to communities. The process shows how important it is to take responsibility and find sustainable solutions to secure water supplies in the future. The court's decision is still pending and an announcement date will be set.