Ground Water
WGF analyses primarily about ground water quantity, high capacity wells, and water use. Also see the agriculture category for WGF work on nitrates in ground water. This work is developed by WGF’s Water Resources and Environmental Rules Work Group.
A Busy Week at the Capitol for WGF
Meleesa Johnson, WGF, testifies on Senate Bill 456 at Wisconsin State Capitol, October 9, 2025. Photo by Sarah Barry.
A Busy Week at the Capitol for WGF
By Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director, Edited by Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications and Outreach Coordinator
During the week of October 6, 2025, Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) leaders testified at …
Read More >WGF Joins Nitrate Watch Program
WGF is now a partner of the Izaak Walton League’s Nitrate Watch program!
This people-powered community science program allows anyone to help gather data about nitrate in Wisconsin’s waters. Nitrate is the most common chemical contaminant creating health risks in Wisconsin’s private wells. Nitrate also harms the water quality and ecological health of our …
Read More >Company explores for copper and gold in national forest in northern Wisconsin
Kidrick Swamp, Wisconsin State Natural Area #464, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Taylor County, photo from Joshua Mayer via Flickr. This SNA is located in an area of the national forest northwest from the Bend deposit and drilling sites, and illustrates some of the forest and wetlands in the area.
Company explores for copper and gold …
Read More >PFAS Summit in Wausau
PFAS Summit in Wausau
Group photo from PFAS Summit in Wausau, June 5, 2025
On June 4-5, 2025, Wisconsin’s Green Fire participated in the first in-person summit of the statewide PFAS coalition. As you may know, PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These “forever chemicals” are common in many household and industrial products but …
Read More >Wisconsin Neonics Forum – Oct. 30, 2024
Written by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director, Edited by Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) co-sponsored the first-ever Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024.
Our attendees to the Wisconsin Neonics Forum included executive director Meleesa Johnson, work group members Mark Asplund and Bill Fisher, agricultural projects coordinator Ben …
Read More >WGF Comments on DNR’s PFOAS Guidance
Responding to WDNR Draft Guidance for PFOA and PFAS in Water
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is developing guidance for minimization plans of wastewater treatment systems regarding two of the most common forms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. Those two forms include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). …
Read More >Discussing PFAS with Gov. Evers
by Meleesa Johnson, WGF Executive Director
Governor Tony Evers (left) and WGF Executive Director Meleesa Johnson (right) in Marshfield, March 14, 2024
On March 14th, I was proud to represent Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) at an event in Marshfield to discuss PFAS funding with Governor Tony Evers. PFAS are the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances famous …
Read More >Wisconsin’s Green Fire and Partners Equip Local Leaders to Address PFAS in Wisconsin Communities
When Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg had to deal with the crisis of responding to PFAS contamination detected throughout Wausau’s drinking water supply in 2022, she was fortunate to be able to turn to her family friend and mentor John Robinson. John is a former Wausau Mayor and a former Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) …
Read More >Nitrogen in Wisconsin Waters and Health Effects of Nitrate in Drinking Water – WGF Videos
Nitrogen in Wisconsin Waters and Health Effects of Nitrate in Drinking Water – WGF members presenting on nitrogen in Wisconsin waters and the health effects of nitrate in drinking water.
Read More >Nitrates in Wisconsin Waters – A Wisconsin’s Green Fire Policy Analysis
While Wisconsin has among the finest freshwater resources in North America, an increasingly large number of Wisconsin communities, homes, schools, and businesses find their water sources unsafe to drink. The water crisis in Flint, Michigan was a wake-up call about the hazards of water supplies we once assumed would always be safe. The total scope of the water quality crisis in Wisconsin today is much larger however than one community or one region. Wisconsin needs a drinking water solution equal to the magnitude of the problem. This paper lays out elements of that solution.
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