WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau residents will be hearing more about the fight against PFAS this week when the Water Works Commission meets Tuesday afternoon.
Mayor Katie Rosenberg says it’s too early to start celebrating but initial data shows good news when it comes to removing the forever chemicals from the water. “We are still needing to collect some data. We’ve been collecting data for four weeks, but it is promising.”
She says right now they are looking for more long-term data before they begin to develop a full plan for PFAS removal.
“What we need is a little bit more replication, but it is promising. I think we have solutions for both the interim and the long-term, which is good,” said Rosenberg.
One of those interim solutions has involved distributing filters and pitchers from ZeroWater to residents, which Rosenberg says is an ongoing effort. The city has been able to procure a few hundred each week for distribution near the current drinking water treatment plant. Rosenberg says the staggered approach has helped them keep track of the number of requests and allow for an orderly distribution process.
Wausau’s new drinking water treatment plant is scheduled to come online later this summer. If it is certified to remove PFAS from the drinking water supply, it would be the first of its kind in the state.
Rosenberg says local leaders are also looking to ramp up their communication on the issue regionally through the Marathon County Metropolitan Planning Organization. This comes as other water systems have shut down wells that show elevated levels of the chemicals, while Mosinee waits their turn for testing.
“We want to make sure that we share anything we are doing, share knowledge, or push for policy changes as a group. It’s something that we are working on,” she added.
Other topics Mayor Rosenberg discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Raising of the Bennington Flag at City Hall to honor the Hmong
5:00- Plans for summer events and the city’s 150th anniversary
8:00- Rain barrel program
9:50- No mow May
11:30- PFAS update
