STELLA, Wis. (AP) — The decision made by local resident Kristen Hanneman to test her drinking water in 2022 has unwittingly sparked a major public health investigation affecting the entire community...
State scientists were checking private drinking water wells across Wisconsin for harmful chemicals known as PFAS. Months after accepting a test, Hanneman received alarming news: her water contained PFAS levels thousands of times higher than federal drinking water limits...
Hanneman’s discovery is not the only one; testing revealed widespread contamination in the surrounding lakes and streams, leading to warnings not to consume local fish...
Residents grapple with the realities of living in a contaminated area. Limited testing by state agencies and the significant costs associated with remediating their water have left many feeling vulnerable...
Local leaders like Hanneman are seeking to push for greater awareness and action to tackle the PFAS threat, as the potential health implications become increasingly clear...
The ongoing crisis emphasizes the urgent need for regulatory measures to protect private well owners and to ensure access to clean drinking water across communities dealing with PFAS contamination.
