Wisconsin Senate Sends $133 Million PFAS Package to Evers

Overview

• The Legislature approved two bipartisan bills directing roughly $133 million from the PFAS trust fund for local grants, private-well replacements, emergency bottled water and airport assistance.
• The package sets aside about $80 million for community grants and roughly $35 million to replace or rebuild contaminated wells, and creates a $5.25 million grant program for public airports.
• Ten new DNR positions are funded to administer the programs, with progress reports to lawmakers required every six months for three years and studies ordered with the Universities of Wisconsin on PFAS treatment and disposal.
• Liability changes protect certain “innocent” parties—permit-compliant spreaders, affected landowners, fire departments, landfills and waste haulers—while excluding facilities that used PFAS in operations and airports from innocent-owner status.
• Nearly 100 public water systems exceed new federal PFAS standards, and Evers’ office says he will sign as business groups signal possible legal challenges and advocates push for stronger private-well protections.