For communities across Wisconsin, access to safe, clean, affordable drinking water is a persistent concern. Lead service lines, aging water infrastructure, and harmful contaminates like nitrates are among the many factors that necessitate extensive—and expensive—repairs to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems throughout the state. Two federal-state partnerships—the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are integral to provide financial support for these necessary updates.

In groundwater sources across Wisconsin, an invisible pollutant is degrading aquatic ecosystems, threatening human health, and costing local communities millions of dollars. This chemical, known as nitrate, is the most widespread groundwater contaminant in Wisconsin, and it can cause serious problems. According to a new report, nitrate pollution has climbed steadily since 2013, affecting both municipal drinking water systems and private wells.

Learn more about the conservation practices of Schoepp Farms LLC, a third-generation family farm in Wisconsin.

Before closing out 2024, we want to take some time to celebrate some of the clean water wins this past year. The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is grateful for our partners across the eight-state Great Lakes region and these successes wouldn’t have been possible without their continual efforts; thank you, all!

To help combat tree inequity, nonprofit environmental advocacy organization Faith in Place was awarded $1.99 million by the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program to increase urban tree canopies in the Great Lakes region. Made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, these funds will allow Faith in Place to facilitate tree planning and workforce development projects at faith institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged communities throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Adding accessible ramps, boat launches, trails, and signage is helping visitors with disabilities access a culturally and environmentally significant Great Lakes destination.

When Milwaukee’s Water Equity Taskforce found that employees of the water sector in the region didn’t reflect the diversity of the community and that structural barriers prevented equitable representation, participating organizations took action.

Building up the Lac Courte Oreilles Band’s capacity for natural resource management aids in monitoring and conserving culturally important native species such as wild rice, and promotes community awareness and education around the Great Lakes ecosystem.