MADISON – Wisconsin Conservation Voters today celebrated a landmark victory for public health as Gov. Tony Evers signed AB 130 and AB 131 into law. The legislation releases $132 million in funding to combat PFAS contamination across the state.
The signing is a major step in a seven-year advocacy campaign led by impacted community members and conservation advocates. The final version of the bill provides $80 million for public water systems and $35 million for private well owners. Notably without “poison pill” provisions that would have limited the state’s ability to hold polluters accountable.
“This is a monumental win for every Wisconsinite who believes that safe and affordable drinking water is a fundamental right,” said Peter Burress, Government Affairs Manager. “For years families in Campbell, Marinette, Peshtigo, Stella, and beyond have been forced to rely on bottled water through no fault of their own. Today, their persistence has secured the relief they deserve.”
“We thank Gov. Evers, the Department of Natural Resources, and Rep. Jeffrey Mursau for their steadfast commitment to clean water and for working to remove polluter loopholes that would have weakened our public health protections,” he said. “While there is much more work to be done to establish groundwater standards and hold polluters fully accountable, today we celebrate a major step forward for Wisconsin’s water, health, and future.”
