PFAS Update

Update By Eric Rempala May 10, 2023- What's new in Oneida County as far as PFAS? No earthshattering news since our last update. OCCWA continues to monitor this issue closely. Understand that this issue will not be solved quickly. With local environmental groups and resident education ramping up, plus DNR efforts, one would hope for progress and some answers.

 What I can tell you is that in the next several weeks the DNR will begin testing surface water in the town of Stella. As mentioned in our last update until lakes and rivers are confirmed PFAS free, perhaps one should consider limiting fish consumption to one meal a week?

  Wisconsin Green Fire recently hosted a conference to help local governments get up to speed on PFAS. Bravo WGF! see link   Wisconsin’s Green Fire and Partners Equip Local Leaders to Address PFAS in Wisconsin Communities • Wisconsin’s Green Fire (wigreenfire.org) 

  The DNR has provided a PFAS tool kit with flow charts and everything. Helpful for towns as well as residents. see link below

   Wisconsin's Community Response to PFAS in Drinking Water 

Wisconsin in no hurry to figure out PFAS problem? Wisconsin Republicans vote to spend $125 million to combat PFAS pollution, but not right away | WXPR 

  Lastly, for those of you who use Facebook, there is a group S.O.H2O (save our water) out of Marinette Wisconsin who have been dealing with PFAS for quite some time now. I visited their Facebook page and found interesting links. example below

 Minnesota prepares for near-total ban on ‘forever chemicals’ (fox9.com) 

Update By Eric Rempala March 20, 2023- The DNR recently expanded their sampling efforts around the town of Stella. According to the DNR, letters were sent out February 20th to 56 year-round residents as well as two summer camps located within 2.5 miles of Stella's town hall.  Wisconsin DNR expands PFAS sampling around the Town of Stella | WXPR 

  As we all know that fishing in the Northwoods can be more than just a sport. Many locals use locally caught fish as a food source. In January the DNR released a new fish consumption advisory for Lake Wausau and the Stevens Point flowage due to PFAS contamination.

 As of now there are no specific recommendations on the DNR Stella PFAS link  PFAS Contamination in the Town of Stella | | Wisconsin DNR  as to recommended consumption of local caught fish. Perhaps the Lake Wausau limits of one meal per week for Crappie, Bass, Bluegill, and Perch would be a good guideline for locals to follow for now?

Lake Wausau fish consumption link  New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory Issued For Lake Wausau And Stevens Point Flowage | Wisconsin DNR 

By Eric Rempala January 24, 2023- I recently attended the latest Stella town meeting with the DNR on January 19th. In that meeting the DNR shared information with the town board as well as a substantial crowd of concerned residents. Information was shared on how the DNR will provide temporary water to affected homes as well as potential assistance to homeowners who may need to drill new wells. We have provided an updated DNR press release with our January 20 post which gives affected residents multiple links to access assistance. Also, the DNR shared how they will proceed with investigating the source of the PFAS emphasizing that it may take years to determine. Identifying the source is essential to prevent future contamination. WXPR's Katie Thoreson was on hand and provided an accurate account of the meeting. DNR to provide water for affected Starks residents as further PFAS testing reveals even higher levels of contamination | WXPR 

  We at OCCWA have come to depend on WXPR and particularly Katie for invaluable coverage of environmental issues in our county. 

  There are several other issues pertaining to PFAS that should be considered. One being why the Natural Resources Board failed to set PFAS limits on groundwater (well water)? A January 6th article in the Wisconsin Examiner presents several concerning issues for your consideration. Conservation groups lament policy damage of Prehn’s extra time on Natural Resources Board - Wisconsin Examiner 

  Some recent good news is that the National Resources Board has now decided they can move forward with health-based standards for PFAS in groundwater (well water) as reported by WPR reporter Danielle Kaeding. Policy board says Wisconsin regulators can restart process for crafting PFAS standards in groundwater | Wisconsin Public Radio (wpr.org) 

  One question asked at the meeting of Senator Felzkowski was what effect the current litigation by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) might have in limiting the states authority to address PFAS contamination under Wisconsin's Spills Law. Senator Felzkowski chose to not answer citing as a reason that until the litigation was complete it would be only speculation as to the effects. More information on the Wisconsin Spills Act has been covered in a Wisconsin Examiner commentary article by Rob Lee of Midwest Environmental Advocates.  Decision in WMC toxic spills lawsuit is a win for public health - Wisconsin Examiner 

   Here is an excerpt. "Thanks to a recent Waukesha County Circuit Court ruling, thousands of Wisconsin residents whose private wells have been contaminated by toxic PFAS chemicals are sleeping a little better knowing they won’t lose access to the bottled water they rely on."  So, you can see in the case of Stella or any other town that may encounter PFAS issues how important this litigation is.

   Another excerpt. " The ruling is the latest development in a lawsuit filed by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), the state’s largest business lobby. WMC sued the DNR in an effort to limit the agency’s ability to investigate PFAS contamination and require responsible parties to clean up contaminated sites. In April, the circuit court sided with WMC, though it agreed to place a temporary stay on the decision in response to concerns that it could endanger public health."  Temporary stay because it could endanger public health? Really? One can see that the court has already sided with WMC, and it is only a temporary stay in the decision which leaves current protection tenuously in place.

  There is much information for sure to be digested on PFAS and we all can understand how impactful contaminated well water can be to a community such as ours. As stated by Senator Felzkowski " This is just the tip of the iceberg". intimating that Stella will not be the last community to deal with PFAS contamination. On this point most would agree. I would encourage residents to consider what has been presented and do your own research as there are many facets of this particular issue. As always one should share their concerns with elected officials.