Georgia officials knew chemicals from carpet mills were polluting local water. The people did not

This powerful accountability investigation stood out for exposing how Georgia officials failed to act as harmful “forever chemicals” spread through local water systems, while also giving voice to residents living with the consequences. Through exclusive documents, deep sourcing and compelling storytelling, Jason Dearen and journalists at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealed how regulators protected a powerful industry even as contamination spread through waterways and communities.

At the center of the investigation were records showing that, even as the dangers of PFAS became better understood, a top state environmental official privately assured carpet industry executives that regulators would not intervene. The reporting found that authorities failed to issue drinking water warnings and fish-consumption advisories despite evidence of contamination affecting rivers and wildlife. The investigation also uncovered how Georgia regulators resisted efforts by federal agencies and neighboring Alabama officials to better monitor the chemicals and track pollution.

The story connected the complex science and regulation surrounding PFAS to the everyday lives of residents, grounding the investigation in human consequences.

Patrick Sison edited photos for AP’s package and Dario Lopez stacked the digital presentation. The package also went through a detailed legal and standards review with Ian Rosenberg and Rob Rossi.

The reporting was part of the broader “Forever Stained” project involving AP’s Local Investigative Reporting Program, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and PBS’ FRONTLINE — the type of collaboration that is a key priority for the AP.

That collaboration extended to the social promotion, spearheaded by Nelly Ontiveros Cervantes. She created the posts, which went through legal and standards review, and worked with the partner news organizations on a promotion plan, bringing tens of thousands of views from non-followers and reaching corners of the internet that wouldn’t normally see AP content.

Judges called the project a “huge accountability win with real-world impact” and praised the collaboration between local and national news organizations, along with the reporting’s strong focus on affected residents.

For accountability reporting that uncovered new revelations, elevated community voices and demonstrated the power of newsroom collaborations, Jason Dearen and Nelly Ontiveros Cervantes win this week’s Best of AP — Second Winner.