The Sconi

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is touting the Omnibus Appropriations Act that secures funding for water remediation across the entire state of Wisconsin as a step toward overall equality.

"Regardless of your zip code, every Wisconsinite needs access to clean drinking water & an environment free of toxic chemicals,” Baldwin tweeted this week. “I'm proud to have worked in a bipartisan way to deliver $1.6 million to help Wausau residents address PFAS & have clean water."

As part of the plan, the City of Wausau will receive $1,667,000 to study, evaluate and implement Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) treatment or alternative drinking water options for residents; State press secretary Alana Conley told Wausau Pilot & Review recently. In addition, Rib Mountain's Sanitary District will receive equal funding to build a water treatment plant that will remove PFAS from municipal supply wells.

The EPA defines PFAS as “a group manufactured chemicals” used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. Exposure to PFAS can be from water, soil, air, food and through work conditions, with firefighters being among those most at risk of exposure given the way the chemicals are frequently found in fire extinguishing foam.

While more research is still thought to be needed, the EPA is on record in establishing that PFAS can harm humans and animals.

In a recent press release from her office, Baldwin noted that funds from the bipartisan measure are also slated to cover other water improvement projects across the state, including repairing and updating aging infrastructures and removing pollutants. Among those projects on tap are $3,200,000 earmarked for the City of Sun Prairie to build a solar radiation water pollution control facility and $1,666,000 in funding for Eau Claire for a PFAS remediation.