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Groundwater is the dominant source stoking the state’s many lakes and rivers and it is the water source for 97% of Wisconsin’s municipalities. Some larger communities (such as Milwaukee, Green Bay and Superior) pump their water from the Great Lakes, but three of four homes across the state still rely on groundwater for their needs.

Once viewed as a vast, limitless resource, thirsty municipalities, industrial and agricultural operations are guzzling groundwater at levels that, in many places, exceed the natural recharge rate.  This page contains information concerning groundwater and its protection for today and the future.

 
• Clean Water Coalition Supports Passage Of Groundwater Bill - Coalition also proposes action on various amendments.  
  • And read what the League of Conservation Voters thinks of the bill.   [27kb pdf file.  If you can't read this article, we will send you a text version if you contact us.]
  • Wisconsin Wildlife Federation throws their support behind groundwater bill.
  • Clean Wisconsin calls groudwater bill "a good first step." - [7kb pdf file.  If you can't read this article, we will send you a text version if you contact us.]
  • Protect State Groundwater - Legislators must make time to pass bill, says Wisconsin State Journal.
• Clean Water Coalition Details Groundwater Concerns - Letter sent to committee charged with drafting the Groundwater Protection Act.  And read what the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation has to say about the groundwater proposal.
• Johnsrud, Senator Kedzie Working On Groundwater Legislation - Legislators praised for open process.  [9kb pdf file.  If you can't read this article, we will send you a text version if you contact us.] 
• Bottler Tapes Into Problems In Michigan - Jilted in Wisconsin, Perrier successor is caught in court fight.
• Wisconsin Must Act To Protect Groundwater - Wisconsin could face serious water problems says Sheboygan Press.
• State Should Protect Groundwater Supply - Gaps in law threaten drinking water supplies, says Wisconsin State Journal.
• Tribes and local group take legal action on bottling plant proposal - High capacity well permit challenged. [22kb pdf file.  If you can't read this article, we will send you a text version if you contact us.]
• Northwoods Bottling Operation On Hold - Langlade County proposal may resurface.
• Legislation Introduced To Give DNR Authority To Deny Permit For Hi-Capacity Wells - Perrier proposal revealed legal loophole that Rep. Black says AB-191 will plug and protect state's groundwater.
• Speakers Highlight Water Concerns At WSN Annual Conference - Groundwater, surface water connections probed plus who is seeking control of water resources.
• Radioactivity, Salt Taint Groundwater As Inland Areas Dig Ever Deeper - Water reserves sinking deeper and faster than expected, according to Mil. Journal-Sentinel.
• Perrier Suspends Wisconsin Project - Opposition to water mining plan forced company to look elsewhere.
• Wisconsin's Blue Gold  - New Video from WSN explores the value of the state's groundwater.
• Citizens Score Legal Victory With DNR - Court orders environmental impact statement needed for Perrier project.
• Could The Well Run Dry?  Series of free lectures to explore fate of Wisconsin's groundwater.
• Proposal To Regulate High Capicity Wells In State Budget  - Provision would require full Environmental Impact Statement by DNR before any approval.
• Perrier Says State Has Firm Bottled Up - President doubts firm will ever operate well in Wisconsin.
• What Price Bottled Water? - Perrier's bottling plant proposal highlights groundwater concerns.
• Area Wells Tap Into Trouble, Experts Say - Aquifer shrinking; salt, contamination will rise says Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
• Small Farmer Speaks Out Against Expansion - Testimony at DNR hearing covers groundwater contamination and manure handling.
• It's About Trade, Too - Perrier Proposal could establish dangerous trade precedent for Wisconsin's waters.
• Thompson Sends Perrier Packing - He tells firm to abandon Adams County plan; suggests other counties may want water bottling operation, according to Mil. Journal-Sentinel.
• Adams County Passes Water Resolution - County opposes large scale extraction of spring water; may effect Perrier plans.
• 2nd Lawsuit Filed Against Perrier Project - WOW sues Perrier over zoning violations.
• DNR Sued For Granting Perrier Well Permits - Local group seeks to block state approval.
• Group Blasts DNR Permit For Perrier - Approval was a huge mistake, they say.
• Experts Say Perrier Environmental Assessment Flawed - DNR document filled with mistakes and poor assumptions, according to analysts.
• Read the letter from Perrier's CEO regarding his private meeting with Governor Thompson.
• Group Responds To Perrier Bottling Plan - Waterkeepers of Wisconsin disputes Perrier media statements.

Links:

• Friends of the Mecan
• Save America's Water

back to the Wisconsin Stewardship Network home page