Read the full article by Henry Redman (Wisconsin Examiner)
“Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) introduced a proposed new set of standards for the allowable amount of PFAS in the state’s drinking water on Monday. The action brings Wisconsin’s standards in line with the federal government’s.
PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are a family of man-made chemical compounds that have been commonly used in the manufacturing of household goods such as non-stick pans and industrial products such as firefighting foam. The chemicals do not break down easily in the environment and have been linked to health defects including certain kinds of cancer. Communities across the state have found high levels of PFAS in their water supplies.
Managing PFAS contamination has become a major political issue in the state. Unlike most states, Wisconsin is unique in that it creates separate standards for drinking, surface and groundwater. In 2022, standards for PFAS in drinking and surface water were approved by the state’s Natural Resources Board (NRB) but not for groundwater — which is the source of drinking water for the large portion of the state that uses private water wells.”…