MARINETTE, Wis. — Cindy Boyle is blunt about what it’s been like for more than seven years knowing where she lives is contaminated by PFAS chemicals.
“It’s a nightmare. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I don’t wish it upon my worst enemy,” the Peshtigo resident said. “It is a constant state of toxic awareness, quite literally.”
Boyle knows this is a statewide issue that is bigger than her. She’s working to make a difference to others.
She said a responsible party was identified in her case and a filtration system has been installed in their home.
“Until we have safe drinking water for everyone, not just the people living in Marinette and Peshtigo, but for the state of Wisconsin, we have to keep fighting,” Boyle said.
Gov. Tony Evers toured parts of the state Tuesday to discuss a set of measures in the upcoming two-year budget to address water contamination issues in the state — including PFAS.
The $145 million plan offers grants and loans to individuals and municipalities to test for and treat PFAS contamination. it also increases statewide research to determine the scope of contamination across Wisconsin.
“We want to make sure that no matter what the contamination is that we’re addressing it in some fashion,” Evers said while in Marinette. “Obviously, PFAS is a little different in that it’s been something that’s been tied up politically and we believe we have a plan.”
The proposal includes language that would protect innocent landowners — like farmers and homeowners — who did nothing wrong but have PFAS contamination on their property.
Republican State Sen. Eric Wimberger, who raised the issue of protecting innocent landowners, said in a statement he’s been waiting to have a meaningful conversation with the governor on this topic.
He said he’s hoping to have that dialogue soon.
The budget proposal still needs approval from the legislature.
“One of the things that seemed to be the biggest stopping point was this issue around making sure our farmers that … (had) PFAS put on their land are held harmless,” Evers said. “That’s a reasonable thing. That will be part of the budget.”
Boyle said she’s unsure what will happen with this budget proposal.
“If we could get one person from each party talking about this on the same team, that’s when I’ll be optimistic,” she said. “We have to do this. It is so cliche, but water does not discriminate. This is not a political issue.”
