Hi John,

PFAS groundwater standards are critical to protecting the one-third of Wisconsinites who rely on private wells for their drinking water.

While we wait for the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee to release the $125 million for PFAS remediation, we must also focus on establishing groundwater standards for PFAS.

Unfortunately, in December, the DNR paused its efforts to set groundwater standards for PFAS. This is due to the REINS Act, a piece of bad, Walker-era legislation that requires the legislature to authorize standard-setting efforts – if those efforts exceed $10 million in costs to businesses, local government, and individuals.

Let’s be clear: the intent of that law was to stop future public health and environmental protections from being adopted.

Fortunately, our conservation champions in the State Capitol just introduced LRB 5764, which would exempt PFAS groundwater protection standards from the REINS Act. This would permit the DNR to continue their efforts to set standards for PFAS in our groundwater. That would bring us one step closer to winning protections for private well owners from this toxic class of forever chemicals.

Take action now. Tell the legislature to protect our drinking water now >>>

This is an uphill battle, and we have very little time to act. There are only a few weeks left before the end of the legislative session. Republicans won’t admit the state has a serious problem with groundwater issues and have shown very little support for protections. We know there will be strong opposition from groups like Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, which always sides with polluting special interests over our health and safety.

Take action before the session ends >>>

Yes, it’s a climb. However your action will combine with your fellow conservation voters’ voices and demonstrate widespread support for this legislation. And that is critical to our organizing efforts. If we can show strong demand for getting this done, there is hope and a real chance that we can build the pressure needed to get Republicans to pass something that permits this process to continue and ultimately makes Wisconsin a safer and healthier place for us and future generations.

Will you contact your legislators and ask them to support LRB 5764? Do it now >>