DNR Seeks Public Comment On Economic Impact Of Proposed Groundwater Rules For PFAS
Public Comment Period Open Until May 7
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in the process of preparing an economic impact analysis for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 140 that would set numeric groundwater quality standards to minimize the concentration of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater. The DNR seeks public comment on the economic impact of these proposed rule revisions, Board Order DG-02-25. Note that a separate public comment period on the rule itself will be held after the economic impact analysis has been finalized.
The proposed rule will add health-based groundwater quality standards for six PFAS, using the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)'s January 2025 recommendations. DHS’ recommendations are based on federal drinking water standards issued on April 10, 2024, and rely on newly available science and protection of public health.
The six PFAS include the following compounds: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals). Setting groundwater quality standards will allow for consistent use in state regulatory programs to minimize the concentration of these polluting substances in the groundwater resources of the state.
The objective of the proposed rule is to protect public health, given that groundwater is the primary source of drinking water throughout the state. PFAS break down very slowly and can accumulate in people. PFAS may cause reproductive health effects such as decreased fertility and pregnancy-induced hypertension, developmental effects or delays in children, including birth defects and low birth weight, increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney and testicular cancers, decreased antibody response to vaccines and increased cholesterol.
Materials for review may be found on the DNR website under Board Order Number DG-02-25. Comments will be accepted until May 7, 2026.
Please direct any comments on the economic impact analysis or questions to DNR140GroundwaterQualityStandards@wisconsin.gov.
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