MADISON, Wis. – Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) issued the following statement after the announcement by the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program of over $1.2 million in grant funding and nearly $700 thousand in subsidized loans for the creation of a new well and wellhouse in Fairchild to restore clean water after the contamination of the previous well, and over $3.7 million in subsidized loans for Altoona to ensure that over 300 working class families can keep their affordable housing:
“Clean drinking water is a right for every Wisconsinite and that is why I have fought so hard in Madison to ensure that the entire Chippewa Valley has the peace of mind that the water that they and their families are drinking is clean and safe.
“Following the contamination of the original Fairchild well with nitrates, and the possible closure of over 300 affordable housing units in Altoona’s manufactured home community that were not in compliance with safe drinking standards, I made it clear to Governor Evers and the DNR that from the largest city to the smallest town, clean water is non-negotiable in the Chippewa Valley and got these funds approved.
“When I talk to constituents one of the biggest issues across the Chippewa Valley is housing affordability. I was not going to let a lack of water funding force working class families from their homes. Because this subsidized loan was secured, over 340 families will be able to stay in their homes and a large percentage of Altoona’s affordable housing will be saved from closure.”
