The City of Piqua Water System recently received $591,958 from a class action lawsuit against Syngenta, the world’s largest manufacturer of a chemical used on crops, to reimburse the costs of removing the chemical from the water system.

Commonly used on corn and other crops, atrazine seeps into surrounding land and into waterways often used for drinking water.

Syngenta, the manufacturer, is headquartered in Switzerland.

Along with 1,085 water systems, the city’s water system, which serves nearly 37 million people, was pleased to receive the compensation for treatment costs, according to a release issued Tuesday afternoon by City Law Director Stacy Wall.

The city is focused on complying with the new EPA regulations, which will be issued in October, Wall said.

According to Wall, the city found no significant amounts of atrazine following the removal treatments.

Admissions of effects associated with atrazine are not included in the settlement.

— Staff Writer Meredith Whelchel is a junior at the University of Dayton.