policy & Advocacy
Developing Water Quality Standards for PFAS
MEA successfully advocated for the creation of water quality standards that limit PFAS in surface water and municipal drinking water. We continue to advocate for much-need groundwater standards to protect rural Wisconsinites who rely on private wells for their drinking water.
ISSUE SUMMARY
Statewide water quality standards for PFAS in municipal drinking water took effect in 2022 and were updated in 2026. Those standards give customers of municipal water systems some measure of protection from PFAS pollution, but they do not protect rural residents who rely on groundwater from private wells. The lack of enforceable standards for PFAS in groundwater is an urgent public health issue. MEA continues to actively advocate for PFAS groundwater standards in order to minimize PFAS exposure for all Wisconsinites, regardless of the source of their drinking water.
FAQs
Are PFAS a threat to human health?
Yes. Even at extremely low levels, exposure to PFAS has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other serious health problems, such as reproductive and developmental problems, thyroid hormone disruption, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, negative impacts to the immune system and more. Young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to PFAS exposure. Although manufacturers have agreed to phase out the production of PFOA and PFOS, they persist in groundwater in certain areas of the state.
What difference will groundwater standards make?
Once statewide groundwater standards are established, the DNR will be able to test for PFAS as part of its groundwater monitoring system. The DNR will also be able to work with dischargers to comply with preventive action limits, prohibit activities causing an exceedance, and require cleanup where necessary.
How are water quality standards developed?
In Wisconsin, water quality standards are developed through the administrative rulemaking process. In July 2022, MEA petitioned the DNR to move forward with the process of creating water quality standards for PFAS in groundwater. We filed the petition on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and S.O.H2O, a grassroots group dedicated to securing safe drinking water for Peshtigo and Marinette residents.
What is standing in the way of developing groundwater standards?
DNR began the process of developing groundwater standards in 2022 but was forced to abandon the effort in late 2023 due to a provision in a controversial Walker-era law known as the REINS Act. The REINS Act interferes with agency rulemaking by requiring that separate legislation be enacted for any proposed rule that is expected to exceed $10 million in compliance costs over any two-year period—even if the estimated benefits far exceed the costs. The law prohibits DNR from resuming work on PFAS groundwater standards without explicit legislative approval.
What’s next?
The DNR restarted the rulemaking process in 2025. In April 2026, the agency released a draft Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA). A public hearing on the proposed rule was held on July 23, and written public comments were accepted from June 29, 2026 to July 29, 2026.
View written comments submitted by Midwest Environmental Advocates.
Visit the DNR’s website for more information.