Local environmental advocates are sounding the alarm after the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to reconsider parts of its PFAS drinking water protections.

Save Our Water says the move is a major step backward for communities that have spent years dealing with contamination concerns, including families in the Marinette and Peshtigo areas.

Doug Oitzinger with Save Our Water called the EPA’s decision “a betrayal” of residents who have fought for stronger protections and accountability.

The EPA says it plans to maintain federal drinking water standards for two well-known PFAS chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — while reopening discussion on protections tied to four additional PFAS compounds: PFNA, PFHxS, GenX, and PFBS.

Oitzinger argues that approach ignores years of evolving research into the long-term health risks connected to PFAS exposure.

He says communities across Wisconsin have learned that the dangers tied to so-called “forever chemicals” continue to expand as more studies emerge.

Oitzinger also says the EPA’s announcement further damages public trust, especially in Wisconsin, where advocates are still pushing for a statewide PFAS groundwater standard.

According to Oitzinger, many residents are frustrated after years of waiting for tougher regulations and cleanup efforts.

He’s encouraging concerned citizens to contact their members of Congress and demand stronger federal and state protections surrounding PFAS contamination.

After nearly eight years of advocacy work, Oitzinger says Save Our Water has no plans to back away from the fight, stressing that PFAS contamination remains a long-term environmental and public health issue.

One of the group’s top priorities continues to be establishing a formal PFAS groundwater standard in Wisconsin.

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