Contact: Rep. Tony Kurtz
(608) 266-8531
Clean Water Health and Wellness Act Would Create $10 Million Program at DHS
Madison, WI – Last year, many families in the Town of Armenia learned that their well water was unsafe to drink because of elevated nitrate levels. On Wednesday, newly elected Representative Tony Kurtz (Wonewoc) introduced legislation to help families in Armenia, and across the state, deal with nitrate contamination.
The Clean Water Health and Wellness Act, authored by Rep. Kurtz and Sen. Patrick Testin (Stevens Point) would create a $10 million pilot program at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to assist well owners with testing and well remediation.
“Last fall, I committed to doing what I could to help well-owners deal with nitrate contamination,” said Rep. Kurtz. “The introduction of this program is a part that commitment, and I will be a strong advocate for this solution.”
If passed, the proposal would enable private well owners living in a county that participates in the pilot program to contact their local health department and request a nitrate test. The department would submit a water sample, pass the results to both the well owner and DHS, and suggest a remediation method and reimbursement if necessary. The department could award grants of up to $2,500.
Kurtz added: “By placing this program at DHS and funding it robustly, we would be taking a big step forward in the protection of public health.”
