Madison, WI – Today during Senate session, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) introduced for consideration Senate Bill 361, legislation would regulate and address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Wisconsin’s groundwater system. The amendment was struck down.
Senator Melissa Agard released the following statement:
“Having access to clean, usable water is a human right.
“Unfortunately, water in Wisconsin is contaminated with PFAS—harmful chemicals that can have significant adverse health effects in people, from certain types of cancers to infertility and development delays in children. No corner of Wisconsin is untouched by PFAS. As recently as last week, the drinking water in Wausau tested above our recommended state standards for these forever chemicals.
“Communities all across our state are being harmed—from Marinette and Wausau to La Crosse and Madison, we are facing a public health crisis from a lack of clean water. My Republican colleagues have had numerous opportunities to do the right thing and take action for clean water. Yet again today, they have failed to help Wisconsinites with one of the most pressing issues our state is facing right now as a collective.
“Wisconsin has the potential to be the gold standard for water quality, and we need real leadership to take a stand. Clean water should not be a partisan issue—no family should have unsafe drinking water or be exposed to health-hazardous chemicals. We cannot wait another session to address something as fundamental as clean water.”
