PFAS Advisory Sign, January 4, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Governor Tony Evers announced that he has approved new changes to bring the state’s current drinking water standards in line with federal limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
It reduces the state’s threshold for PFAS contamination from its current, outdated level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) to a new enforceable standard of 4.0 part per trillion (ppt) for certain contaminants—an effort that will significantly improve drinking water standards and quality for Wisconsinites.
The governor’s announcement also comes as last year, the Natural Resources Board and the governor approved amendments to the state’s lead and copper rule to be in line with federal standards.
This announcement comes amid ongoing bipartisan negotiations between Gov. Evers and Republican lawmakers to ensure the release of $125 million in long-awaited investments to address PFAS contaminants that were approved in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget over two years ago. The Wisconsin State Assembly approved Assembly Bill 130 and Assembly Bill 131, which, as passed, reflect key aspects of the bipartisan compromise. Now, the measures are being considered for approval by the Wisconsin State Senate, which is slated to conclude its general-business session in March, with opportunities for additional limited-business in April.
The governor has vowed to call the Wisconsin State Legislature back into special session at any time during 2026 if key priorities, such as comprehensively addressing PFAS contamination, remain unfinished.
To begin the rulemaking process, the governor and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) submitted a scope statement to amend the current drinking water standards to reflect the new federal maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS and include water standards for three new PFAS compounds for which Wisconsin does not currently have standards. As a result, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approved those standards in January, and last week the governor signed off on the new rules.
Wisconsin’s previous enforceable standards for PFAS, established in 2022 before the EPA had any drinking water standards for PFAS, were 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS. The updated federal rule includes a new enforceable standard of 4.0 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, as well as 10 ppt for other outlined PFAS groups. Similarly, the new lead and copper drinking water rules approved by the governor and the Natural Resources Board in December lowered the lead action level in Wisconsin from 0.015 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to 0.010 mg/L. Both rule changes for lead and copper standards and PFAS standards outline that water systems must take corrective action if the new standards are exceeded to protect public health, welfare, and the safety of the customers it serves.
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