MADISON – Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto) released the following statement after the Joint Finance Committee, the state’s budget committee, passed a Wimberger-led budget motion to include $726 million in additional bonding authority under the state’s Environmental Improvement Fund (EIF) in the 2025-26 State Budget to support clean water initiatives for communities across Wisconsin:

“Communities across Wisconsin are facing aging infrastructure and new contaminants such as PFAS. With these additional funds, municipalities will be able to access low-interest loans to modernize their water systems, saving local taxpayers millions of dollars and keeping their water clean for years to come at the same time.”

The EIF provides loans at a starting interest rate of 2.2% – far below the 4.0% market rate – to communities looking to address water contaminants or expand upon their existing water infrastructure, saving municipalities money. Some smaller communities can receive lower rates of 1.3% or even 0%.

In recent years, demand for EIF loans has far outweighed the available funds; in the 2025 cycle, the DNR reported applications exceeded available funding by $89.9 million. Increasing the EIF’s bonding authority will allow for more funding for more projects, keeping costs low for Wisconsin’s municipal water systems and the residents using them.

Northeast Wisconsin communities receiving EIF funding include Pulaski, which received nearly $14 million to connect to Green Bay’s water system; Kaukauna, which received $2.3 million to replace water mains; and Green Bay, which received $550,000 to assist in lead service line replacements. Villages and cities from Northeast Wisconsin have already submitted dozens of applications for EIF funding for the 2026 cycle.

This motion is supported by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, the Wisconsin Rural Water Association, as well as the sewerage systems of Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay.

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