Wausau Finance Committee Approves Spending ARPA Money on Bottled Water and Filtration Systems

Thursday, March 10th, 2022 -- 10:46 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) Leaders in Wausau have approved spending up to 150 thousand dollars of American Rescue Plan Act money for a combination of bottled water and filtration systems for residents concerned about PFAS contamination in the city's water supply.

Finance Committee Chair Lisa Rasmussen says the perception of the city's water is that it isn't safe. “I think that we should not dismiss those concerns. I think people that are concerned are genuinely concerned, and the last thing we want to do is to minimize their fears.”

Wausau City Council President Becky McElhaney says PFAS contamination of the city’s water supply is worrying many residents. “I have been taking calls from residents that I don’t ever hear from, so I know that they’re very upset.”

The first 13 thousand dollars of that funding will pay for additional pallets of bottled water for distribution. Wausau is just one of numerous Wisconsin communities grappling with PFAs contamination.

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