Evers Pushes Action on Water Quality
After 13 public hearings across state, water quality policy proposals are being drafted.
Agencies in the Evers administration that oversee the environment, health and agriculture have sent their recommendations to improve the state’s water quality to the governor.
The proposals come after 13 hearings around the state were held by the Speakers Task Force on Water Quality from March to September.
The recommendations focus on five areas contaminating groundwater: nitrates, nonpoint source pollution, PFAS, lead and pathogens.
“Folks should be able to trust the water coming from their tap,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a written statement. “I’m proud that my administration is taking a lead on the issue of water quality in the ‘Year of Clean Drinking Water,’ and I’m hopeful that the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality will take up these recommendations to ensure clean water is a reality across our state.”
Nitrates are in at least 10 percent of private wells in Wisconsin, according to the state Department of Health Services.
It’s been a concern in southwest Wisconsin, where half the wells tested were contaminated with coliform bacteria or nitrates. It’s also a problem in the northeast part of the state where residents complain about brown water coming out of the tap.
“It’s not necessarily size-dependent on what farmers do to be good stewards of the land because whether you are a large farm or a small farm you drink the same water,” said Steve Boe from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. “You want to be cognizant of that for your neighbors, your family and your friends.”
Altering rules for manure spreading statewide is another recommendation. In Kewaunee County, where there are many large-scale dairy operations, this is done to limit runoff from seeping through porous rock into groundwater.
The issue of lead in drinking water has divided the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature. There’s disagreement over who should bear the cost of replacing lead service lines to homes.
The DNR wants the state to provide funding for lead removal in schools and day cares. State Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, has sponsored a bill that would require lead testing at schools, day cares and summer camps where children congregate.
This April, an environmental group gave Wisconsin a grade of F for not preventing lead in school drinking water. Lead exposure is harmful to the nervous system and contributes to lower IQs and behavioral disorders in children.
Listen to the WPR report here.
Gov. Tony Evers Urges Action On Water Quality was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
More about the Lead Crisis
- Baldwin Delivers $850,000 to Reduce Lead in Schools and Childcare Facilities Throughout Wisconsin - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Aug 29th, 2024
- Baldwin Delivers Over $83 Million to Replace Lead Pipes, Expand Access to Safe Drinking Water - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - May 2nd, 2024
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on Milwaukee Designation as Workforce Hub - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Apr 26th, 2024
- Biden Announces Milwaukee As New “Workforce Hub” For Lead Pipe Removal - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 25th, 2024
- Senator Baldwin Delivers Nearly $2 Million to Keep Wausau Families Safe from Lead Contamination - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Apr 12th, 2024
- IRS Rules that Homeowners Won’t Have to Pay Additional Taxes for Subsidized Replacement of Lead Pipes - Milwaukee Water Works - Feb 29th, 2024
- Milwaukee Makes It Far Easier To Replace Your Lead Service Line - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 18th, 2023
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore Praises Biden Administration Effort to Remove Lead Pipes in 10 Years - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Nov 30th, 2023
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces Partnership with 10 Wisconsin Communities to Accelerate Lead Service Line Replacement as Part of Investing in America Agenda - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Nov 2nd, 2023
- Evers, DNR Announce $402 Million Funding to Improve Local Drinking Water - Henry Redman - Oct 24th, 2023
Read more about Lead Crisis here