Coalition Pressing Wisconsin Lawmakers to Set Groundwater Standards for PFAS Chemicals

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 -- 9:01 AM

(Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) After years of failed attempts at regulation, a coalition of groups and residents struggling with PFAS contamination are pressing Wisconsin lawmakers to set groundwater standards for the chemicals in a new petition.

According to Danielle Kaeding with the Wisconsin Public Radio, the effort is being spearheaded by Jeff Lamont with the citizen group Save Our H2O. In 2016, a report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources first mentioned PFAS contamination had been discovered at Tyco Fire Products’ fire training facility in Marinette several years earlier.

Since then, Tyco and Johnson Controls International have sampled 173 drinking water wells and installed 47 treatment systems, including at Lamont’s home in the town of Peshtigo. Lamont, the group’s president, said they’re trying to collect as many signatures as possible before the November election.

“We started this journey almost eight years ago now to try and get groundwater standards in the state of Wisconsin for PFAS,” Lamont said. “And we’ve just run into roadblock after roadblock, including a Legislature that just seems to not be interested in doing this.”

In Wisconsin, PFAS has been found in communities from small towns like Peshtigo and Campbell to larger cities like Eau Claire, Wausau and Madison. The petition seeks groundwater standards in line with federal drinking water limits unveiled earlier this year.

he Environmental Protection Agency released drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion, roughly 17 times more stringent than Wisconsin’s drinking water standard of 70 parts per trillion for the two chemicals.

While the state has passed drinking water and surface water standards for the chemicals, limits on the chemicals in groundwater are still lacking. Groundwater is a source of drinking water for two-thirds of Wisconsin residents, but the lack of standards is most critical for around one-third of residents who rely on private wells.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has attempted to set limits for the chemicals in groundwater, but the agency was forced to abandon its most recent effort to set standards for the chemicals due to excessive compliance costs.

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