PFAS in Drinking Water in Wisconsin
What residents of Wisconsin need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin has significant PFAS contamination from industrial manufacturing in the Fox River Valley and Marinette area, Tyco Fire Products' manufacturing facility in Marinette (a major AFFF producer), paper and tissue manufacturing (which historically used PFAS coatings) across the Fox Valley, and military installations including Volk Field. Marinette's PFAS contamination from Tyco is one of the most significant industrial PFAS cases in the Midwest.
Where does PFAS come from in Wisconsin?
Tyco Fire Products' AFFF manufacturing facility in Marinette, WI — which produced Ansul brand firefighting foam — has contaminated groundwater and the Menominee River with PFAS at extremely high levels. The Fox River Valley's paper and tissue manufacturing legacy has also contributed PFAS to river and groundwater systems. Volk Field Air National Guard base in Juneau County contributes AFFF-related PFAS.
What should Wisconsin residents know?
Marinette and Peshtigo area residents face contamination from both the Tyco/Johnson Controls AFFF manufacturing facility and PFAS migration into municipal water and private wells. The Fox River Valley — one of the world's highest concentrations of paper manufacturing — has documented PFAS in multiple river systems and groundwater. Wisconsin DNR has set its own groundwater standards for PFAS and has been aggressive in testing and remediation requirements.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| Wisconsin groundwater standards | Enforcement standards for multiple PFAS compounds — among most protective state standards |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | Tyco/Johnson Controls AFFF manufacturing (Marinette), Fox River Valley paper mills, Volk Field ANG |
| Marinette case | Tyco AFFF manufacturing contaminated Menominee River and surrounding wells at extreme concentrations |
| State regulator | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune suppression, developmental effects |
| Effective treatment | GAC or RO; Wisconsin DNR has required treatment from multiple utilities and industrial parties |
Why PFAS Matters in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's PFAS situation is shaped by its industrial manufacturing heritage. Tyco Fire Products (now part of Johnson Controls) manufactured AFFF in Marinette for decades, producing PFAS-laden waste that contaminated both the Menominee River and surrounding groundwater at levels far exceeding health guidelines. The company has been ordered to fund extensive remediation. Wisconsin's Fox River Valley paper industry used PFAS coatings in paper products for decades, and wastewater from these mills contributed PFAS to the Fox River system. Wisconsin has set its own groundwater enforcement standards for PFAS — some of the most protective in the country — and has been active in requiring testing and treatment from both municipal systems and private well owners near known contamination sites.
Wisconsin PFAS Regulation
Wisconsin DNR participates in UCMR5 monitoring and has identified the Fox River Valley industrial corridor (Marinette/Peshtigo area, associated with Tyco/Johnson Controls AFFF manufacturing) as a major PFAS site — with some of the highest PFAS levels documented in any U.S. community. Wisconsin has also assessed PFAS at Volk Field ANG Base and Fort McCoy. Wisconsin follows the federal MCL with no state standard, though the Fox Valley contamination has prompted legislative discussion.
Largest Wisconsin Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Wisconsin utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Marinette and Peshtigo residents near Tyco's AFFF manufacturing site, Fox River Valley communities from Green Bay through Appleton and Oshkosh, and private well users near industrial manufacturing sites in northeastern Wisconsin face elevated risk. Wisconsin's large private well population statewide should consider testing.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Wisconsin
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Wisconsin utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Wisconsin utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Wisconsin PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Wisconsin State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ↗