The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has directed the University of Wisconsin-Madison Survey Center to conduct a statewide assessment of the use and storage of PFAS-containing firefighting foams at fire departments throughout the state. The survey, which will run from January through March, will inform the state about how much PFAS-containing foam concentrate is stored and will estimate potential costs of statewide collection and disposal efforts. Results are expected in early April.
The survey coincides with Governor Evers’ February 5 signing of the 2019 Wisconsin Act 101, a bipartisan bill that prohibits the use of firefighting foam that contains PFAS unless the use is part of an emergency firefighting or fire prevention operation or the use is for testing purposes. The bill requires rulemaking and documentation for storage and requires that the DNR be notified when the foam is used. DNR is also working on a broader suite of PFAS efforts. Per Evers’ August 2019 Executive Order #40, DNR established the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council to develop an action plan by June 30.
See more on Wisconsin’s PFAS efforts here.
