Gov. Tony Evers on Friday delivered his weekly radio address highlighting efforts included in the most recent budget to invest in clean water infrastructure and ensure Wisconsinites have access to safe, clean water statewide.
The 2025-27 Biennial Budget increases borrowing for Wisconsin’s Environmental Improvement Fund by $731.6 million to secure federal clean water and safe drinking water capitalization grants over the next four years. This will help meet the increasing demand from local communities who need support to upgrade local water systems and infrastructure.
Excerpts from Evers’ radio address are as follows:
“Every Wisconsinite deserves access to clean, safe water — free of lead, PFAS and other contaminants that have long been known to harm our kids and families, farmers and industries and communities across our state.
“In 2019, I declared it the Year of Clean Drinking Water and created the PFAS action council, and over the last six years, we’ve worked to fight PFAS, help private well owners replace their contaminated wells and replace lead service lines statewide.
“I (also) worked to secure meaningful investments to support farmers and producers, including continuing support for the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program.
“And we’re continuing support for the Nitrogen Optimization and Cover Crop Insurance Programs that help protect our soil and water resources while protecting farmers’ bottom lines.
“We’re also working to help local municipalities and counties with challenges they face, from flood control, erosion prevention and repairing and replacing dams to implementing land and water resource management plans.”
