Gov. Tony Evers is again pushing for groundwater regulations on PFAS, proposing new standards, increased funding and legislative changes to protect Wisconsin residents from the harmful chemicals.
Laura Schulte reports for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In short:
- Evers announced the Department of Natural Resources will develop groundwater standards mirroring the EPA’s limits for PFAS, with stricter limits on certain compounds.
- His budget proposal includes $145 million for PFAS cleanup, bottled water for affected households and legal protections for landowners unknowingly impacted by contamination.
- Previous efforts to set groundwater standards failed due to high costs and legislative roadblocks, but Evers hopes new provisions will gain bipartisan support.
Key quote:
“This is an urgent issue, and we cannot afford more years of inaction and obstruction.”
— Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers
Why this matters:
PFAS chemicals persist in the environment and have been linked to cancer, immune disorders and reproductive harm. Without enforceable groundwater protections, private well users remain at risk. Legislative gridlock has stalled past efforts, leaving communities to rely on bottled water for years.
Related: Just one meal of caught fish per year is a significant dose of PFAS
