Courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WISCONSIN – August is National Water Quality Month, and in observance, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Wednesday, July 28 announced the department is launching the Safe Water for All Campaign (www.bit.ly/3zSJ5oz) to spotlight the need for Wisconsinites to have safe, clean drinking water.
“Our state and our economy depend on having access to safe, clean water, from our homes and our schools to our farmers to our outdoor recreation industry, and we’ve been working to address water contamination and protect the health of folks across our state since the beginning of my administration,” said Governor Tony Evers. “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing to offer real solutions to improve water quality for every Wisconsinite, but we also can’t do it alone—we need the Legislature to give this issue their urgent attention and action.”
Evers declared 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water to address the fact Wisconsinites do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. From emerging contaminants to ongoing issues concerning lead, runoff and other classic pollutants, working toward clean drinking water carries on the Wisconsin way – forward.
“Water is an essential and precious resource. Tens of thousands of people today cannot drink the water that comes out of their tap. No one should ever be afraid to turn on their tap,” said DNR Secretary Preston D. Cole. “Today we are launching a new educational effort to amplify the importance of safe drinking water for all. This effort will let the public know where they can go to learn about the safety of their water, what the DNR is doing to protect their health and the solutions we could implement today to ensure clean water for all.”
Today, the work continues. In addition to declaring 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water, Evers directed the DNR and the Department of Health Services, the agencies entrusted with protecting Wisconsin’s health and water resources, to strengthen water quality standards for nitrate, PFAS and lead. Learn more about how the State of Wisconsin is protecting our drinking water at www.bit.ly/3iTEdZm.
“Access to safe drinking water is a critical component of healthy environments for people to live, work, and play in. Here in Wisconsin, we are lucky to have water resources, but we are confronted with a range of water quality concerns – some naturally occurring and some due to human practices,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “All of us at DHS stand committed to ensuring access to safe drinking water.”
The Safe Water For All Campaign is focused on educating the public on the leading drinking water contaminants, including PFAS, nitrates and lead, and their impact on your health. The public is encouraged to participate in an upcoming panel series to stay informed and learn steps you can take to keep safe.