In a first-of-its-kind event, a state-wide PFAS group hosted its inaugural PFAS Summit at Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau from June 4-5. The PFAS group was initially convened by a small number of PFAS contamination-impacted individuals and has been meeting, to some degree, since 2018. According to the group’s original guiding principles, it consists of “local leaders, individual policy experts, and representatives from nonpartisan organizations” and works to “support action that funds PFAS remediation; sets strong, public-health based standards for PFAS; and prevents PFAS from entering [the] environment.” However, the meetings have been predominately virtual and held for an hour, once per month. The guiding principles have also not been revisited or revised, despite group growth. Thus, after many impacted individuals called for an in-person opportunity to learn about other impacted communities and build relationships, collectively brainstorm strategies to address pressing state PFAS contamination, and update group goals and objectives, Clean Wisconsin and non-profit partners Midwest Environmental Advocates, River Alliance of Wisconsin, Save Our Water (S.O.H2O) and Wisconsin Conservation Voters helped organize the gathering.
The Summit kicked off the first day with a tour of the Wausau Waterworks facility and PFAS treatment system. Attendees learned about the two-part anion exchange resin filtration and granular activated carbon systems and were able to see the setup first-hand. Over 30 individuals, including representation from some of the most heavily contaminated areas of the state—Marinette, Peshtigo, French Island, Wausau, and the Town of Stella—and ten non-profit organizations, three of which were disproportionately-impacted community-based organizations—Citizens for a Clean Wausau, S.O.H2O and Oneida County Clean Waters Action–attended the full second day. Sessions included discussions on centering and building connections with impacted communities, advocating to protect our state from PFAS contamination, and how the PFAS group operates.
Summit attendees found value in learning more about newly-installed PFAS treatment systems and how the process could be used in other communities facing similar contamination. Doug Oitzinger of S.O.H2O, and resident of the City of Marinette, described the Wausau Waterworks PFAS treatment system installation as “an impressive response to protect their community” and “a testament to the challenges and costs that lie before our communities to remove these dangerous poisons from our drinking water supplies.” Jeff Lamont, also with S.O.H2O, and a resident of Marinette, was similarly impressed with “the energy, knowledge and enthusiasm of so many PFAS advocates from around the state willing to spend two days working on strategies to bring safe drinking water to communities across the state of Wisconsin.” In addition to learning about available treatment options and joining together with other allies to discuss drinking water solutions, another focus of the event was prioritizing the voices of those disproportionately impacted by PFAS contamination. Anonymous post-Summit survey respondents noted that they were “glad that the community members are getting visibility and receiving the support they need to tackle this issue.”
This first PFAS Summit successfully rallied stakeholders from across Wisconsin to address the state’s growing PFAS crisis. To continue supporting impacted communities, the PFAS group has scheduled follow-up conversations on the action items that came from Summit discussions. If you would like to learn more about getting involved with the group, please reach out to Hannah S. Richerson at hricherson@cleanwisconsin.org.
