THE WISCONSIN DNR RECEIVES UPDATED HEALTH GUIDELINES FROM DHS FOR PFAS; NEW DRINKING WATER ADVISORIES ISSUED FOR TOWN OF PESHTIGO WELLS

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently received updated health guidelines for PFAS in groundwater from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Several of the updated health advisory levels for PFAS are lower than previous recommendations. As a result, the DNR issued new drinking water advisories for approximately 50 private potable wells previously tested by the DNR in the town of Peshtigo.  In 2020 and 2021, the DNR tested over 400 private potable wells in the town of Peshtigo for PFAS. Of these, 32 private wells had PFAS above the DHS recommendations that were in place at that time and these homes were offered a temporary emergency water supply paid for by the DNR.  After the DNR received the DHS’ updated health guidelines for PFAS, the DNR compared the previous testing results to the new recommendations; approximately 50 additional wells have PFAS concentrations above the DHS’ updated recommendations. The DNR has mailed letters to users of wells that were tested by the DNR to explain how the previous testing results compare to DHS’ updated guidelines. If the previous test results are above the updated guidelines, users will be offered temporary emergency drinking water paid for by the DNR.  The DNR has also asked JCI/Tyco to evaluate private wells that JCI/Tyco tested in the Marinette-Peshtigo area to identify private wells with PFAS above the DHS’ updated guidelines, to communicate the new evaluation with the users of the wells and to offer alternative safe drinking water, if the user is not already receiving it from JCI/Tyco. To leave a message or ask questions of DNR staff by phone, call 1-888-626-3244. To comment or ask questions by email, contact DNR staff at DNRJCIPFAS@wisconsin.gov. For health-related questions, please contact DHS at DHSEnvHealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov. For additional information about the ongoing investigation, please visit the DNR PFAS Contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo Area webpage.