(MADISON) On Tuesday, February 8, Governor Tony Evers announced that the State of Wisconsin will use federal funds to help local municipalities test their water supplies for a certain kind of chemical often referred to as “forever chemicals.” More than $600,000 dollars will be allocated to see if drinking water is contaminated with polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, which can be found in products such as firefighting foam and non-stick cookware. Rep Gary Hebl, the ranking member of the Assembly Committee on the Environment, released the following statement regarding the funding:

We have been working for several years to tackle the PFAS contamination found in Wisconsin, often on a bipartisan basis. We have made some progress, and the Governor’s plan is another tool to get us to where we need to be.

This effort is a great way for municipalities to take a look at their drinking water and make sure that it is clear of these forever chemicals, and if it is not, to work with state agencies to try to make sure their residents have clean drinking water.

I applaud Governor Evers for a forward thinking approach on PFAS, and I look forward to continuing to work across the aisle to find solutions to pollution in Wisconsin’s water.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email