(The Center Square) – Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources submitted a new proposal to amend the state’s current drinking water standards regarding per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances contaminants.
The new rules would meet the requirements of the EPA’s Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, released in April, which gives public water systems until 2029 to implement solutions to reduce elevated PFAS levels found in drinking water.
“The impacts of certain PFAS to Wisconsin’s surface water and groundwater sources are threats to public health, welfare, and safety in consuming drinking water. Establishing drinking water standards for certain PFAS contaminants in this rule will protect public health by setting MCLs that may not be exceeded at certain public water systems,” the state’s proposal reads.
According to estimates, the new standards would increase costs for roughly 1,900 public water systems across the state, although municipal water systems may be eligible for loans and non-municipal water systems could potentially cover the costs with federally-funded grants.
“Every Wisconsinite deserves access to clean, safe water that is free of lead, PFAS, and other harmful contaminants that are affecting our kids, families, and communities across our state,” Evers said Monday. “We continue working to ensure that every Wisconsinite has access to clean, safe drinking water straight from the tap, whether that water is coming from a municipal water system or a private well.”
Adverse health effects of prolonged PFAS exposure include liver disease, kidney and testicular cancers, lower antibody response to vaccines, high cholesterol, low birth weight, and hypertension during pregnancy, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
