Multiple State Agencies Responding To PFAS Contamination In Town Of Stella
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Health Services (DHS) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) are taking steps to provide temporary safe drinking water to residents with private wells who are impacted by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Town of Stella in Oneida County.
The DNR and DHS are participating in a meeting with town leadership and residents tonight, Jan. 19, at the Town of Stella town hall to provide updates about the PFAS contamination found in some private wells and information about how those residents can access temporary safe drinking water provided by the DNR.
The state is taking the following steps to assist residents with known PFAS contamination in their private drinking water supply access safe water:
- Providing carryout cases of bottled water: The DNR has made carryout cases of bottled water available to the town for households with PFAS-impacted wells until temporary emergency water agreements are established.
- Providing bottled water to homes: The DNR has contracted with Culligan to provide bottled water delivery in five-gallon containers to the homes of residents with impacted private water supplies. Residents interested in this service are required to request it through the DNR and sign an access agreement with the state and vendor before receiving water delivery. Residents should not contact Culligan directly if they are requesting the DNR to pay for the bottled water.
To request a temporary alternative water supply from the DNR, please complete an agreement and email it to DNRStellaPFAS@wisconsin.gov or mail it to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Gwen Saliares – RR/5
P.O. Box 7923
Madison, WI 53703
When completing the agreement, residents should indicate if they need a bottom-loading dispenser. Bottom-loading dispensers are generally provided to those who are unable to lift 5-gallon jugs.
Eligible residents who are currently paying for their own bottled-water service should also complete and submit an agreement so the DNR can take over coordination and payments of their service.
Voluntary Sampling of Additional Private Water Supply Wells
The DNR and DHS are evaluating the available information – including existing private sampling results – to develop a sampling plan for additional private water supply wells.
Private well owners are responsible for testing and maintaining their well. Unlike public water systems, private well owners are not required to regularly test their wells or correct water-quality problems. It is the well owner’s choice to decide which test to do and actions to take.
Background Information On PFAS
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam. These contaminants have made their way into the environment through accidental spills of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams.
More information about the current PFAS contamination in the Town of Stella can be found on the Town of Stella website and the DNR website. For email updates on this situation, subscribe to the PFAS Contamination in the Town of Stella topic.
More about the PFAS Problem
- Evers Wants $100 Million For PFAS, Will Republicans Back Proposal? - Danielle Kaeding - Jan 26th, 2023
- Gov. Evers Proposes More Than $106 Million Plan to Address PFAS Contamination Statewide - Gov. Tony Evers - Jan 24th, 2023
- Multiple State Agencies Responding To PFAS Contamination In Town Of Stella - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 19th, 2023
- New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory Issued For Lake Wausau And Stevens Point Flowage - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 18th, 2023
- Fish Consumption Advisory Updated For Parts Of Yahara Chain In Dane County - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 18th, 2023
- Study Finds High Level of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Great Lakes Fish - Danielle Kaeding - Jan 18th, 2023
- Conservation Groups Cite Damage From Prehn’s Time on Natural Resources Board - Henry Redman - Jan 8th, 2023
- Wisconsin Seeking Federal Help For Town With PFAS Contamination 170 Times Safe Levels - Danielle Kaeding - Dec 23rd, 2022
- Natural Resources Board Moves Forward with Groundwater Standards to Protect Wisconsin Communities from PFAS Contamination - Midwest Environmental Advocates - Dec 14th, 2022
- AG Kaul Calls on U.S. Senate to Pass legislation to Protect the Public from Highly Toxic ‘Forever’ Chemicals - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Nov 11th, 2022
Read more about PFAS Problem here
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