EPA sends $15 million to Wisconsin for PFAS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on May 19 that Wisconsin will receive more than $15 million to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water. The money is part of the agency’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program, which is aimed at helping communities pay for testing, planning and infrastructure tied to contamination from so-called forever chemicals. (wispolitics.com) Wisconsin’s share was described by state and regional reports as nearly $15.4 million, with the state set to administer the funding. (spectrumnews1.com) PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large class of synthetic chemicals that have drawn scrutiny because they persist in the environment and have been linked to health risks. (cen.acs.org) The EPA funding announcement in Wisconsin landed the same week the agency proposed keeping enforceable drinking-water limits for PFOA and PFOS while giving water systems more time to comply and moving to rescind standards for several other PFAS chemicals. ### Who in Wisconsin can actually use the money? Wisconsin communities, public water systems and private well owners will be able to apply for support through the state’s grant process, according to Spectrum News 1 and local Wisconsin reporting. Eligible uses include testing, planning and infrastructure projects tied to PFAS contamination in drinking water. (wispolitics.com) The EPA’s grant program is designed for small or disadvantaged communities, and agency materials say the broader federal program was funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law. EPA fact sheets describe the program as focused on emerging contaminants, including PFAS, in drinking water and source water. ### What is the EPA saying this funding is for? (cen.acs.org) EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel said in remarks reported by Spectrum News 1 that the funding is meant to help deliver “clean, safe drinking water” to communities that have dealt with PFAS contamination. Regional EPA language in the Wisconsin announcement said the money is part of a broader strategy to address PFAS across its lifecycle. The Cool Down, citing the EPA announcement, reported that the funding is intended to help communities move faster on testing and treatment and reduce the chance that households absorb the full cost of safe drinking water. (spectrumnews1.com) Local Wisconsin coverage said the statewide allocation is available immediately through the state-run program rather than going directly from EPA to individual households. (nepis.epa.gov) ### Why is this arriving in the middle of a bigger PFAS fight? The EPA this month proposed two separate drinking-water actions: one would let systems request up to two additional years to comply with limits for PFOA and PFOS, and the other would rescind regulatory determinations and regulations for PFHxS, PFNA, GenX chemicals and certain hazard-index mixtures. Trade and legal summaries said systems that do not receive an extension would remain under the original 2029 compliance deadline for PFOA and PFOS. (spectrumnews1.com) Earthjustice said on May 22 that the rollback plans could jeopardize drinking-water protections for up to 105 million people nationwide. The group said the proposal would weaken or remove protections established under the first federal PFAS drinking-water standards. (yahoo.com) ### What happens next for Wisconsin residents and water systems? Wisconsin’s next step is the state-run application process for communities, utilities and private well owners seeking a share of the federal money. Reports on May 20 and May 19 said the state will manage distribution of the nearly $15.4 million allocation. At the federal level, EPA’s proposed PFAS drinking-water changes are moving into the public-comment and rulemaking process. (cen.acs.org) Water systems, states, environmental groups and other parties are expected to weigh in as the agency decides whether to finalize the compliance extension for PFOA and PFOS and the rescission of standards for other PFAS chemicals. (spectrumnews1.com) (earthjustice.org)