forever chemicals
PFAS
PFAS (pronounced “PEA-FASS”) stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a family of thousands of synthetic chemicals. Even at extremely low levels, exposure to PFAS has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other serious health problems. We are working to limit toxic PFAS substances in Wisconsin drinking water.
our PFAS work
POLICY & ADVOCACY 
Developing Water Quality Standards for PFAS
MEA successfully advocated for statewide water quality standards for PFAS in surface water and municipal drinking water. We continue to advocate for much-need PFAS groundwater standards that will help protect rural Wisconsinites who rely on groundwater from private wells.
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LEGAL ACTION
Ending Legislative Interference in Environmental Decision Making
MEA represented two environmental organizations as friends of the court in this lawsuit challenging the power of legislative committees to veto conservation grants and obstruct the updating of environmental health standards. We argued that committee vetoes violated the state constitution and caused real-world harm to Wisconsin communities.
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COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Public Trust Podcast
In this podcast series produced by Midwest Environmental Advocates and Wisconsin Sea Grant, we visit Wisconsin communities impacted by PFAS contamination to understand how they’ve been affected and what they’re doing to secure their rights to clean water.
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LEGAL ACTION
Ensuring Public Access to PFAS Pollution Records
The failure of Dane County and the Madison Water Utility to produce records related to PFAS contamination was a violation of Wisconsin’s Public Records Law. MEA attorneys filed two lawsuits in circuit court to successfully compel disclosure of the documents.
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latest news
PFAS Updates
MEA and Partners Receive Community Change-Maker Award for PFAS Work
MEA is honored to be recognized by Community Shares of Wisconsin as a recipient of the 2026 Community Change-Maker Award for our work to address PFAS contamination. We share the award with our partners at River Alliance of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Conservation Voices. We invite you to celebrate with us on September 17!
Victory at the Supreme Court: The Spills Law Decision
In June, the Wisconsin Supreme Court sided with MEA and our clients in a legal dispute over the ability of the Department of Natural Resources to protect Wisconsinites from toxic environmental pollution under the state’s Spills Law. Join us for this webinar to learn about the case and what it can teach us about environmental protection in Wisconsin.
Victory! State Supreme Court Strikes Down Legislative Interference with Clean Water Protections
In a landmark decision today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that legislative committee vetoes of administrative rules violate the state constitution. The ruling as a major victory for environmental protection and democratic accountability.
MEA Secures Legal Victory in Fight to Protect Wisconsinites from Toxic Pollution
For more than four years, MEA fought to make sure Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce didn’t succeed in gutting a law that keeps Wisconsinites safe from exposure to toxic contamination. Our legal fight went all the way to the State Supreme Court, and today we won!
Trump Promises Action on PFAS, But Actions Speak Louder than Words
In this commentary, MEA Executive Director Tony Wilkin explains what impact the Trump EPA’s actions will—and won’t—have on our ability to address PFAS here in Wisconsin and why Republicans in the Legislature should think twice about standing in the way of progress.
State Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in WMC Toxic Pollution Case on Jan 14
On January 14, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case that could have far-reaching implications for the state’s ability to protect Wisconsinites from toxic environmental pollution.
