A day after researchers reported that 42 percent of tested wells in southwest Wisconsin were contaminated, state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he would create a task force to study state water quality.
Vos’ announcement Thursday was prompted by formal requests from lawmakers in areas plagued by drinking water that is tainted by pollutants from agriculture and faulty septic systems that can cause illness or death.
Conservationists have complained that Vos, Gov.
Scott Walker and their fellow Republicans who have controlled the Legislature since 2011 have failed to answer pleas from residents around the state whose well water is contaminated by hazardous pathogens and toxic nitrate.
“It comes as no surprise that Representatives (Travis) Tranel and (Todd) Novak are quickly responding to the needs of their Assembly districts,” Vos, R-Rochester, said in a statement.
Laeser said the state’s water problems were an urgent public health issue that demands science-based collaboration among state officials and all who have a stake in cleaning up Wisconsin’s water.
“We look forward to working with everyone to find real solutions to these problems,” Laeser said.
The 42 percent contamination rate is higher than in some other parts of the state that have gotten more attention.
And data have long been available showing high rates of contamination in southwest Wisconsin well tests obtained independently by homeowners over the last 25 years.
And last year the DNR didn’t heed conservation groups that argued southwest Wisconsin’s vulnerable drinking water should also be covered by the rule’s stricter limits.