DECATUR (AP) — A federal judge has approved a partial settlement in a lawsuit over contaminated drinking water in north Alabama.

The Decatur Daily (http://bit.ly/2q6ooEA ) reports that U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon has approved a $5 million payment by Daikin America to end its part of the case.

A lawyer for the West Morgan-East Lawrence Water Authority, Carl Cole, says the settlement is only the start as plaintiffs seek more money from 3M Co., the main defendant.

The water system is suing over chemicals it claims manufacturers have released into the Tennessee River. 3M and other companies say they followed environmental regulations.

The chemicals led to a temporary ban on drinking water from the utility last year, but officials say chemical levels are now at safe levels.