DNR Releases Annual Drinking Water Report
Agency, Partners Tackle Safe Drinking Water Challenges
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently published its 2021 Annual Drinking Water Report. The report features statewide efforts that help public water systems provide safe and adequate drinking water supplies despite the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges.
Once again, Wisconsin gets high marks, with 98% of the state’s public water systems providing water that meets safe drinking water standards.
“This annual report illustrates the commitment of the DNR and its partners to continue to provide safe drinking water for consumers while facing many challenges. Through collaboration, we treated nitrate contamination, replaced lead service lines and provided new water systems funding for small, underserved and disadvantaged communities,” said Steve Elmore, DNR Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater Program Director. “These significant accomplishments happened despite continued COVID-19 challenges.”
While DNR inspections and regular water monitoring are key to top-notch compliance results, dollars are important too. In late 2021, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL) was passed and will help fund Wisconsin’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, lead service line replacement and efforts to address emerging contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
In the meantime, Wisconsin moved ahead with innovative approaches to funding lead service line replacement – one of the most effective methods for preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Notably, in 2021, 60 communities benefited from $33.3 million in principal forgiveness funding for private lead service line replacement.
The Annual Drinking Water Reports are available on the DNR website or by calling 608-266-1054 to request a copy.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
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- RFK Jr. Claims ‘Team’ Is In Milwaukee Helping With Lead Crisis, Health Department Can’t Find Them - Nick Rommel - May 22nd, 2025
- MPS Announces Starms Early Childhood Center Is Cleared of Lead Dangers - Milwaukee Public Schools - May 21st, 2025
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- MTEA Statement on Lead Exposure in MPS Buildings - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Apr 30th, 2025
- Statement from Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez on Lead Hazards in MPS Buildings - Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez - Apr 29th, 2025
- MPS Closing Two More Schools For Lead Hazards - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 28th, 2025
- Milwaukee Public Schools Enters New Phase of Lead Cleanup - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 28th, 2025
- What To Know and How To Keep Kids Safe From Lead Poisoning - Evan Casey - Apr 25th, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
More about the PFAS Problem
- Trump Administration moves to weaken standards for toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water - Clean Wisconsin - May 14th, 2025
- Wisconsin Officials Unhappy With EPA Plan To Weaken PFAS Standards - Danielle Kaeding - May 14th, 2025
- Wisconsin Could Lose $55 Million Under Proposed EPA Budget Cuts - Danielle Kaeding - May 7th, 2025
- French Island Makes Progress on PFAS Pollution - Richelle Wilson and Trevor Hook - Mar 24th, 2025
- Who Will Pay for PFAS Pollution? - Bennet Goldstein - Feb 27th, 2025
- Gov. Evers’ biennial state budget prioritizes clean water, clean energy, and public lands for Wisconsin - Wisconsin Conservation Voters - Feb 18th, 2025
- Gov. Evers Announces Comprehensive Plan to Ensure Clean Water for Kids and Families in 2025 Year of the Kid - Gov. Tony Evers - Feb 18th, 2025
- GOP Lawmakers Propose School Water Filters to Address PFAS, Lead - Danielle Kaeding - Feb 14th, 2025
- Wisconsin Conservation Voters thank Gov. Evers for prioritizing public health, urges bipartisan prioritization of baseline PFAS groundwater standards - Wisconsin Conservation Voters - Feb 5th, 2025
- Evers Announces $145 Million Plan to Address PFAS - Danielle Kaeding - Feb 4th, 2025
Read more about PFAS Problem here
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A map showing areas of PFA contamination would have been helpful. “A picture is worth 1000 words!”