Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland
(608) 267-9649
STEVENS POINT – Today, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes visited Central Wisconsin to discuss Governor Evers’ priorities on clean water for the coming session. Along with Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), the Lt. Governor visited and toured a number of sustainability-focused locations in the Stevens Point area following the formal introduction of Rep. Shankland’s well testing and compensation bill. LRB 1197 creates a first of its kind state private well testing program and dramatically expands funding for homeowners to access clean drinking water.
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes issued the following statement:
“Every Wisconsinite needs and deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, which is why I am proud that Governor Evers has declared 2019 the ‘Year of Clean Drinking Water.’ I am excited to be here with Rep. Shankland to learn about the important work being done at UW-Stevens Point and to discuss steps we can take to ensure that clean, safe, and healthy drinking water is a reality for every Wisconsin household. There is a lot of work to be done to prevent contamination of drinking water in Wisconsin, and Rep. Shankland’s bill shows real leadership on this critical issue by providing immediate relief to communities most affected by contaminated wells.”
Rep. Katrina Shankland added:
“I commend Governor Evers and Lt. Governor Barnes for declaring 2019 the ‘Year of Clean Drinking Water’ and recognizing that it is vital to our quality of life and public health to address the growing problem of contamination in Wisconsin’s water supplies. I am excited to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure that more people are testing their wells and receiving support from the state to access clean drinking water.
“No one should have to buy bottled water because their drinking water is contaminated. Yet an alarming percentage of wells have recently tested for nitrates exceeding the health standards in Central Wisconsin and across the state. Incentivizing well testing and increasing access to well compensation grants recognize the problem our state is facing with access to clean water. We all deserve access to clean and safe drinking water, and this bill will provide immediate relief to the people of rural Wisconsin.”