Governor Tony Evers Directs $40 Million in Emergency State Funding to Filter PFAS from Municipal Wells

MADISON, WI — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced the release of $40 million from state environmental response funds to provide emergency water filtration grants to 60 municipal water utilities and rural school districts managing elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.

Removing 'Forever Chemicals' from Drinking Water Supplies

The funding packages finance the immediate installation of granular activated carbon and ion-exchange filtration systems in communities where municipal well testing identified PFAS levels exceeding EPA federal drinking water standards of 4 parts per trillion. The grants also fund free private well testing kits and residential water filters for 5,000 rural homeowners in La Crosse, Marinette, and Wausau.

Governor Evers declared that access to clean, safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, affirming that the state will act decisively to eliminate toxic contaminants from tap water.

Municipal Water Utility and Environmental Reactions

Wisconsin League of Municipalities leaders commended the emergency grant deployment, noting that capital filtration costs would otherwise trigger sharp residential water rate hikes.

Clean water advocacy coalitions praised the comprehensive private well testing allocations.

Engineering Installation Schedule

Municipal filtration equipment procurement will begin immediately, with all 60 systems operational by spring 2027.