Wisconsin’s natural resource board has voted down the first state efforts to regulate toxic chemicals in drinking water for one-fourth of its residents.
Faced with widespread public support, Wednesday’s vote by the Natural Resources Board (3-3), with one abstention, was to reject rules to limit certain fluorinated substances known as PFAS to a set of regulated chemicals found in groundwater.
Wednesday afternoon’s discussion continued on the board regarding companion standards to limit PFAS exposure in public drinking waters, as well as lakes and rivers, streams.
The vote cancels two and a quarter years of work done by the Department of Natural Resources in setting standards for contaminants found within private wells and public water systems throughout the state, including Madison.
Synthetic chemicals, which are not naturally broken down, have been linked with health problems such as low birth weight, cancer, liver disease, and reduced effectiveness of vaccines.
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After heated debate, former Gov. Scott Walker sided alongside industry lobbyists who questioned both state health officials’ science and the DNRs economic impact estimations.
Bruins
Bill Bruins said that there has been a lot negative talk about chemicals. They are bad. This rule will be passed, it’s like biting the hand that feeds.
Terry Hillgenberg, who did not give any explanation, said that he spoke to a well driller and was told the DNR’s estimate was too low. This prompted a sharp rebuke by Preston Cole, DNR Secretary.
You won’t be able to tell us that you believe it because Cole told you. Listen to your body.
Cole
Fred Prehn, a member of the Board, said that he doesn’t believe the proposed groundwater regulation met statutory requirements.
Prehn stated, “I’m a rules follower.” He has refused to resign from his term which ended in May. Senate Republicans have denied a hearing for Gov. Tony Evers will be his replacement.
Chair Greg Kazmierski failed to amend the groundwater standard proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency to the existing health advisory, which was 3.5 times higher.
He said that he didn’t want to be COVIDed and cited geographic differences in health guidelines. I must wear a mask to visit Madison, the people’s republic. I don’t have faith in the DHS.
Kazmierski
The board received numerous public comments in support and heard pleas from leaders from cities with contaminated water supplies.
Cindy Boyle, Peshtigo town chair, broke down in tears while describing the plight of her community and her own battle against cancer.
Boyle stated that I have been fighting for PFOA/PFOS standards for the past four and a quarter years. I am not embarrassed. Im exhausted. I’m pissed. Our community deserves and needs protection.
Lee Donahue described the unknowingly long-term effects of drinking contaminated well water as a supervisor in Campbell, La Crosse County.
Donahue described it as a ticking bomb. You know it is in your body and can’t get rid of it. You search for safe drinking water sources and pray for standards.
Katie Rosenberg of Wausau, the Mayor, stated earlier this month that six wells in the city are above the proposed standard for health. She also said that local governments have been left in the most dangerous regulatory limbo due to a lack of state regulations.
Rosenberg
She stated that public trust has been broken. Municipalities cannot assume the responsibility of doing right by themselves. Please don’t gamble.
Prehn, Wausau dentist, accused Rosenberg de causing hysteria, and psychosis.
He said that it is a permanent chemical and you will never be able to eliminate all of it. You need an immediate solution to a problem that has been around for generations.
Prehn
The rules were created over two years with input from the industry and environmental groups, as well hundreds of concerned citizens. They focused on two of the most studied compounds, PFOS, and PFOA.
If approved by Congress, the new rules would have allowed DNR to make polluters clean up spills and fine them if concentrations exceed standards. The groundwater rule proposal also included new or revised standards for 20 additional contaminants.
The DNR estimates that it would cost states businesses and local governments approximately $6 million annually to comply with the new regulations. However, Wisconsin residents could save hundreds to millions of dollars each and every year by avoiding healthcare costs related to low birth weight and high blood sugar due to PFAS.
The proposed drinking water standards are similar in style to those adopted by Illinois, but less restrictive than those in Minnesota or Michigan, which have adopted surface water standards.
Scott Manley, a lobbyist representing Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, claimed that the rules are illegal because the DNR underestimated compliance costs and state law prohibits the use of combined standards for more than one substance.
Manley claimed that the state cannot exceed EPA’s current health recommendation, which is 3.5x higher than those recommended for state health officials.
Other representatives of the industry urged board members to delay regulation until the Environmental Protection Agency establishes federal regulations, which they warned would likely be more stringent that the DNRs.
In January, the EPA decided to establish federal drinking-water standards for PFOA/PFOS. However, such regulations will not be in effect until 2026.
Kayla Furton, Peshtigo supervisor, stated that we were comparing human health to corporate profits. If corporate profits were eliminated, there would be no opposition.