Evers, Democrats Push PFAS Contamination Bill
Democrats reintroduce bill funding testing and remediation for harmful forever chemicals.

Gov. Tony Evers called on lawmakers to take action on a bill to provide funding and state support for communities dealing with PFAS contamination during a visit to the F.J. Robers Library in the Town of Campbell on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Hope Kirwan/WPR
Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic state legislators are reintroducing a bill to provide funding and state support for communities dealing with PFAS contamination.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, are chemicals that are found in products ranging from firefighting foam to nonstick cookware. The chemicals have raised concerns because they don’t break down easily in the environment, and research has linked the substances to thyroid disease, decreased fertility in women and cancer.
Sponsored by state Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, and state Rep. Samba Baldeh, D-Madison, the legislation would create stricter standards for PFAS levels in drinking water, provide more funding for testing, and establish grant and loan programs to help communities fund mitigation efforts.
Evers and the lawmakers announced the bill Wednesday during a visit to the Town of Campbell near La Crosse. The state Department of Natural Resources declared a state drinking water advisory for the town last month over concerns about PFAS levels in private wells linked to firefighting foam used at the La Crosse Regional Airport. The agency has provided free bottled water to as many as 4,300 residents.
Evers said he was hopeful Republicans would take action on the measure this session as the number of Wisconsin communities dealing with PFAS contamination continues to grow.
“I just think it is amplified every time we find it someplace else, and sooner or later, our friends in the Legislature will need to take this seriously,” Evers said.
Voicing frustration that the bill did not receive a hearing during the last session, Evers called on lawmakers to help communities before worrying about the wishes of special interest groups or letting the courts decide who is responsible for the contamination.
Lee Donahue, a member of the Town of Campbell Board of Supervisors, said residents are worried about the impact of PFAS contamination on their health, their property values and the environment.
“We have had to spend an overwhelming amount of time and energy and resources to get wells tested for a problem that we did not cause. And then face delays and uncertainty which have affected every family in town,” Donahue said. “I’m worried about the health of my neighbors and the efforts it takes to get replacement water for all of our town residents. It is truly nerve wracking.”
She said nearly every residential well tested has shown some level of PFAS contaminants and residents worry any level of contamination could be detrimental to their health.
Listen to the WPR report here.
Evers, State Democrats Reintroduce Bill To Help Address PFAS Contamination was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real, independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits, all detailed here.
More about the PFAS Problem
- Baldwin Touts PFAS Funds, Hopes For More - Hope Kirwan - May 16th, 2022
- Marinette PFAS Cleanup Could Begin This Summer - Erik Gunn - Apr 22nd, 2022
- Judge Rules DNR Can’t Regulate PFAS - Isiah Holmes - Apr 13th, 2022
- DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 13th, 2022
- Decision in WMC Lawsuit Undermines State’s Ability to Address Toxic PFAS Contamination and Endangers Public Health - Midwest Environmental Advocates - Apr 12th, 2022
- Milwaukee Water Works Releases Annual Water Quality Report - Milwaukee Water Works - Apr 7th, 2022
- Peshtigo Residents Seek Superfund Designation for PFAS Pollution - Danielle Kaeding - Mar 25th, 2022
- Kaul Sues Companies On Forever Chemicals - Madeline Fox and Danielle Kaeding - Mar 15th, 2022
- Republicans Vote Against Comprehensive Solution to Address PFAS - State Sen. Melissa Agard - Mar 8th, 2022
- Natural Resources Board Opts For Weaker PFAS Limits - Isiah Holmes - Feb 24th, 2022
Read more about PFAS Problem here