FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 22, 2017
CONTACT: Elizabeth Ward, elizabeth.ward@sierraclub.org, (608) 256-0565
Community Members remind us World Water Day Starts at Home
You don’t have to go far to find people suffering from polluted water
WISCONSIN—Today, on World Water Day, people gathered around the state to showcase the water issues we have right here in Wisconsin. Speakers, including Senator Miller in Madison, Alderman Jim Bohl in Milwaukee, and Representative Jill Billings in La Crosse highlighted the local concerns that accompany polluted water. In order to release the report and draw attention to local water concerns, four events were held around the state in Bayfield, La Crosse, Milwaukee, and Madison.
“Wisconsin’s water resources are vast, but also very vulnerable. Right here in the Coulee Region, people are suffering from potential water pollution from nitrates, bacteria, and agricultural chemicals such as glyphosate,” said local farmer and educator Ana Skemp, who spoke at the event. She continued, “I would encourage everyone to research local drinking water quality in their wells or in municipal supplies and to demand rigorous regular testing.”
The Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter released Water Quality and Health Impacts in Wisconsin, a ‘blue’ paper on some of the drinking water issues we face in Wisconsin and policy recommendations to correct them, including the passage of the Water Sustainability Act, co-sponsored by Senator Mark Miller and Representative Cory Mason.
“The science exists for Wisconsin manage our water resources so the reasonable use doctrine is fully realized; that every person has a right to use water but not to the point where it denies others,” said Senator Mark Miller. “The Water Sustainability Act will make sustainable water use a reality in Wisconsin.”
The United Nations (UN) established World Water Day in 1992 in order to remind the world about the importance of protecting our freshwater resources. The day was tied to the UN’s goal of making sure everyone has access to safe water by 2030. In Wisconsin, there are real threats to ensuring everyone has access to safe drinking water, including lead pipes, nitrate pollution, bacteria, parasites like cryptosporidium, and pharmaceutical pollution.
“Last I checked, Wisconsin has not yet qualified as a ‘third world’ state. As a pediatrician, I think all children and their families deserve to be able to drink safe, clean tap water. We need legislators to support bills that support efforts to ensure safe tap water. Prevention also makes great economic sense--it's much cheaper in the long run than the costs of health and special educational supports needed to help a child poisoned by lead,” said Ann Behrmann.
There are several bills that have been introduced in the legislature that could impact drinking water. Some, like the “Water Sustainability Act”, authored by Senator Mark Miller and Representative Cory Mason and the ‘Leading on Lead’ bill authored by Senator Robert Cowles and Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt look to identify solutions to some of the concerns. Unfortunately, others like Senator Fitzgerald’s latest high-capacity well bill could perpetuate existing problems and cause future drinking water problems. More information about these and other bills are available in the blue paper.
“I’m alarmed that the ‘regulatory certainty’ given to agribusiness by our elected officials is allowing 26,000 Iowan hogs and their 10 million gallons of manure to set up shop 8 miles from Lake Superior, in the watershed that provides water for the City of Ashland and its 8,100 residents. That’s just not right,” expressed Mary Dougherty, co-founder of Farms not Factories.
“I am proud to be joining officials with the Sierra Club, an esteemed organization with an outstanding history of important work, to highlight key water issues in Milwaukee, across our state, and across the globe on World Water Day,” said Alderman Bohl, chair of the city’s Water Quality Task Force. “Our work to preserve the purity of our fresh water and our environment is critical and begins right here at home.”
The Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter will release three additional blue papers in the next two months related to specific issues like lead pipes and water quantity issues in Wisconsin.
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Founded in 1892 by John Muir, the Sierra Club is America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth. The Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter is made up of 15,000 members and supporters working to promote clean energy and protect water resources in Wisconsin.