MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul held a joint listening session with the DNR Wednesday in Marinette.
More than 200 people filled the gymnasium at the Community Rec Center, hoping to have some of their questions answered regarding the ongoing investigation into groundwater contamination.
“I think water is of the utmost concern right now and we have been having a lot of issues and articles in the paper that are bothering me about our water quality in Marinette,” says Lydia Bedwell.
Johnson Controls and Tyco, a subsidiary, are just two of the companies responsible for the contamination. Samples of water from the Peshtigo River tested positive for PFAS. The synthetic chemicals that make up PFAS are used in making firefighting foam at one of Tyco’s facilities in the area.
“There are a number of known sights that have issues where the foam was manufactured,” says Christine Haag from the DNR. “The fire technology center is another known area, which has caused a lot of the problems with private drinking wells in the Town of Peshtigo.”
Like many of the residents who turned out for the session, Bedwell said she now wants to hear how the companies plan to solve the issue.
“I want to get more information on what’s being done, how they are helping people, whether you can get your water tested, if you should have it tested and if we have a bigger problem then what’s being shown on the outside here,” says Bedwell.
Johnson Controls has not yet implemented a long-term solution, as it is still working on its site investigating. However, company officials said they’re dedicated to fixing the problem as soon as possible.
“The only singular priority is to ensure there is a municipal line of safe drinking water so this inconvenience can be removed from the residence,” says John Perkins, Vice President of Environment, Health, and Safety.
Kaul and the DNR are set to hold another listening session at noon on January 15th.
