Environment
As rains intensify, sewage surges into Wisconsin waters
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Climate change is bringing heavier rains, making it tougher to keep untreated sewage and stormwater out of the Great Lakes.
Failure at the Faucet
Most nitrate, coliform in Kewaunee County wells tied to animal waste
By Sarah Whites-Koditschek (Wisconsin Public Radio/Wisconsin Watch) and 
Coburn Dukehart (Wisconsin Watch) |
The latest findings from a study of drinking water wells and their surroundings finds manure from cows that is stored or spread on farm fields poses the highest risk for certain contaminants.
Failure at the Faucet
Fecal microbes found in 60 percent of sampled wells, raising concerns about dairy manure, septic waste
By Coburn Dukehart (Wisconsin Watch) |
Tests show waste from Kewaunee County’s 97,000 head of cattle contaminates majority of wells, especially after rainfall or snowmelt; human waste also a factor.
News about WCIJ
Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism wins top national award for drinking water project
By 
Wisconsin Watch |
The Society of Professional Journalists names ‘Failure at the Faucet’ the top investigative story among small independent news sites for 2016.
Failure at the Faucet
Wisconsin misses chances to cut risk of lead exposure in drinking water
By 
Cara Lombardo |
Funding for childhood lead poisoning prevention is down in Wisconsin, and proposals to better protect children from lead in drinking water have stalled in the Legislature.
Failure at the Faucet
Milwaukee takes action to reduce lead in water; critics say it is not enough
By Cara Lombardo |
The city of Milwaukee, with more than 70,000 lead service lines, has taken several steps in the past year to lower residents’ exposure to lead in drinking water, but activists say the city has not done enough.
Failure at the Faucet
‘Regulatory vacuum’ exposes Wisconsin children to lead in drinking water at schools, day care centers
By Cara Lombardo |
Gaps in federal drinking water standards enforced by the state leave numerous school and day care sites untested for lead in drinking water; numerous lead service lines remain.
Failure at the Faucet
Wisconsin schools, day care centers slated for lead service line removal under new DNR program
By Cara Lombardo |
Eighteen communities in Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, plan to replace lead lines leading to schools and day care centers. View the areas of the state where the work is planned.
Failure at the Faucet
Wisconsin DNR fails to update lead testing guidance in wake of Flint crisis
By Cara Lombardo |
Nine months after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warned against flushing water systems before testing for lead, the state Department of Natural Resources has not yet passed that advice on to public water systems in Wisconsin.
Failure at the Faucet
‘Strict’ pesticide rules fail to erase threat to Wisconsin’s drinking water
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A 2007 survey of private drinking water wells found 1 out of 3 had pesticides or their breakdown chemicals; farm groups oppose push for tougher atrazine rules.
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