Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers last week signed an executive order directing the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to take specific steps to address PFAS contamination. In coordination with the Wisconsin’s health and agricultural officials, DNR is charged with setting up a PFAS website; collaborating with municipalities and wastewater treatment plants to screen for potential PFAS; developing regulatory standards; and taking steps to monitor for, mitigate impacts of, and protect the public from PFAS contamination. The order also directs DNR to create a PFAS Coordinating Council to implement a multi-agency action plan to address the chemicals. DNR is already working to implement a new state groundwater enforcement standard of 20 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS that was proposed in June.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf also announced new initiatives on PFAS last week, allocating $3.8 million to support water treatment in four state townships where testing has shown contaminated tap water. This announcement marks the latest effort in the state’s slew of activities on PFAS. Wolf last year established a multi-agency PFAS Action Team headed by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. In June, DEP began statewide sampling to identify PFAS-contaminated drinking water. The state plans to develop a drinking water standard and cleanup plan.
