drinking water

Dec 29, 2021

The US is making plans to replace all of its lead water pipes from coast to coast

The Biden administration has released a plan to accelerate the removal of lead water pipes and lead paint from U.S. homes. As a geochemist and environmental health researcher who has studied the heartbreaking effects of lead poisoning in children for decades, I am happy to see a lot of attention being paid to this silent killer, which disproportionately affects poor communities of color.

Dec 23, 2021

Infrastructure bill to aid US tribes with water, plumbing

Erland Suppah Jr. doesn't trust what comes out of his faucet. Each week, Suppah and his girlfriend haul a half-dozen large jugs of water from a distribution center run by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to their apartment for everything from drinking to cooking to brushing their teeth for their family of five. It's the only way they feel safe after countless boil-water notices and weekslon[...]

May 17, 2021

Nearly 800 residents plan to sue La Crosse regarding PFAS

Nearly 800 residents of French Island plan to sue the city of La Crosse stemming from contamination of private drinking water wells from chemicals known as PFAS, a move that could expose the city to up to more than $39 million in claims.

Sep 19, 2020

Wisconsin groundwater study completed, but analysis is not

Researchers have completed the fourth and final round of private well sampling to determine sources of fecal contamination in wells that were previously flagged for issues as part of an ongoing groundwater study in southwestern Wisconsin. The findings released Wednesday found 76% of all wells sampled during those rounds had fecal contamination from humans or livestock.

Mar 11, 2020

Waukesha, New Berlin reach deal over $286M water-diversion project

The cities of New Berlin and Waukesha approved a deal on Tuesday to resolve a standoff over a pumping station that threatened to delay Waukesha's plan to build a pipeline to supply it with Lake Michigan water.

Jan 22, 2020

Board authorizes DNR to begin drafting water standards

The board of the state Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday authorized the department to start drafting new water quality standards for a range of pollutants, including PFAS.

Jan 8, 2020

Panel OKs bill to rid child-care centers of lead, delays similar rules for schools

A committee on Wednesday voted to advance a bill that would compel Wisconsin child care centers to root out lead-tainted water infrastructure.

Jan 8, 2020

Lawmaker task force urges $10M for clean water initiatives

A bipartisan water pollution task force proposed more than a dozen bills Wednesday designed to curb contamination across Wisconsin, capping a year's worth of research and discussion.

Aug 9, 2019

OPINION: Clean water a deliberate policy choice

In recent years, the safety of our drinking water has come to the forefront of Wisconsin politics.

Aug 5, 2019

Fecal matter found in most private wells tested in SW Wis.

The majority of private wells in southwestern Wisconsin are substantially polluted with fecal matter as concerns intensify over the pollution of rural drinking water, according to a new study.

Jun 21, 2019

Evers administration proposes groundwater-quality standards (UPDATE)

Gov. Tony Evers' administration is recommending new groundwater-quality standards for 27 substances determined to be a threat to public health, including compounds known as PFAS.

Feb 11, 2019

Evers wants nearly $70M in bonding to improve water quality

Gov. Tony Evers plans to use his first state budget to call for allowing state environmental and agricultural officials to borrow nearly $70 million more over the next two years to combat water pollution and replace lead pipes, following through on his pledge to improve the quality of drinking water.