News Briefs: Wisconsin Water Groups Ask DNR to Rethink PFAS Regulations

Also in this week's water and wastewater news, the U.S. Navy says a jet fuel spill is what led to contaminated tap water in military households in Honolulu, Hawaii

The Municipal Environmental Group Water Division (MEG-Water) is asking the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to throw out rules the agency created that would add certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the state’s list of drinking water contaminants.

MEG-Water is a trade association whose membership includes nearly 70 water utilities throughout the state. It’s urging the DNR to wait for upcoming federal drinking water limits that are in the works through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Wisconsin Rural Water Association and League of Wisconsin Municipalities are also asking the DNR to rethink its PFAS regulations.

Navy Blames Jet Fuel Spill for Contaminated Drinking Water in Honolulu

The U.S. Navy is saying a jet fuel spill in November is what led to contaminated tap water in military households in Honolulu, Hawaii, confirming that it was not leakage from an underground storage tank.

Residents had reported smelling fuel in their tap water — some even went to the hospital with stomach cramps and vomiting — and health officials and the Navy advised residents to stop using the water. The Navy shut down multiple wells as it worked to clean up the spill.

Meanwhile, the Navy had moved more than 3,000 families to hotels on Oahu while the problem was resolved, as of mid-December.

Leaders Meet to Discuss Water Infrastructure Spending in Las Vegas

Federal, state and local leaders met in Springs Preserve, Las Vegas, recently to discuss how to spend the funding allocated to Nevada via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act amidst a water loss in the region.

Lake Mead hit record-low water levels earlier this year, and officials declared a water shortage in the Colorado River Basin as a result. Lake Mead supplies water to 25 million people in the Southwest.

“We’re really racing against time to find common-sense solutions,” said Rep. Susie Lee, according to KTNV News.

See video coverage by KTNV below:



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