Wisconsin Proclaimed First PFAS Awareness Week
The state aims to accelerate mitigation efforts following the release of $125 million in trust funds for contamination.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Environmental
Live Poll
Do you support stricter state-level enforcement of chemical safety standards for drinking water?
Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed Wisconsin's first PFAS Awareness Week to highlight efforts in addressing synthetic chemical contamination. The move follows the recent release of $125 million in trust funds for local mitigation projects.
Why it matters
PFAS chemicals are known to accumulate in human and wildlife bodies, leading to long-term health risks. This initiative aims to address ongoing water quality concerns across the state by formalizing awareness and deploying resources for testing and remediation.
Wisconsin established a new enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS at 4.0 parts per trillion, a significant reduction from the prior 70 parts per trillion threshold. The state also released $125 million in previously stalled funds to support contamination cleanup efforts.
The players
Tony Evers
The Governor of Wisconsin who has prioritized state-level clean water initiatives and PFAS regulatory oversight.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The state agency tasked with managing water quality standards, implementing grant programs, and tracking environmental contaminants.
Tyco Fire Products LP
A fire suppression equipment manufacturer that reached a settlement with the state regarding environmental contamination.
The details
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals that resist degradation in the environment and accumulate in human tissue. The Department of Natural Resources is utilizing an interactive data viewer to map exposure risks and is preparing to launch a grant program for testing private wells, schools, and childcare facilities. This initiative leverages the $125 million in PFAS trust funds secured in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget to support these technical and sampling requirements.
Timeline
2019: Governor Evers declared the Year of Clean Drinking Water.
April 2024: Governor Evers vetoed Senate Bill 312.
March 2026: The state established an enforceable 4.0 ppt drinking water standard.
June 2026: The state finalized a settlement with Tyco Fire Products LP.
October 2026: A new DNR grant program for PFAS sampling is scheduled to launch.
The Tech Race
This development marks a shift in the implementation of the 2023-25 Wisconsin Biennial Budget regarding environmental safety. It follows a legislative push to unlock resources and formalizes the state’s regulatory trajectory toward stricter chemical exposure limits.
Residents, schools, and childcare facilities will gain access to new grant-funded PFAS testing programs beginning this October. These initiatives are intended to help property owners identify contamination levels and comply with the state's updated 4.0 ppt safety standards.
The takeaway
Wisconsin has transitioned from setting strict regulatory limits to active financial support for water remediation. Residents should track the October 2026 launch of the new sampling grant program to determine eligibility for well and facility testing.
What happens next
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will launch a new grant program for PFAS sampling in private wells, schools, and childcare facilities in October 2026.
Further reading
For more context on how state agencies track and mitigate water contaminants, read the latest reports in Environmental.
Live Poll
Do you support stricter state-level enforcement of chemical safety standards for drinking water?
