Everyone deserves clean drinking water, yet tens of thousands of Wisconsinites face contamination. We’re working to change that.
Who is impacted?
Imagine worrying every day whether the water from your tap is safe for your children – or driving 60 miles round trip each week just to access clean drinking water. These are real challenges faced by people like Tarion O’Connell and Katy and Dennis Matzek.
Unsafe drinking water affects families and communities across Wisconsin, from urban neighborhoods to rural towns. Agricultural runoff, industrial pollution and aging service lines allow contaminants such as nitrate, lead, and PFAS to enter drinking water. The consequences include serious health risks including developmental harm to children, pregnancy complications, and significant financial strain.
When one community lacks safe water, the impacts ripple across the state. Everyone in Wisconsin deserves clean, safe drinking water.
See more stories of Wisconsinites impacted by contaminated water >>>
Watch Tarion’s story and the impacts of contaminated groundwater.
What are the solutions?
State laws and elected leaders are meant to protect Wisconsin residents. That’s why we connect people like you with lawmakers to advocate for strong policies and funding to address the water crisis.
In 2025, thanks to our members and supporters, we secured $732 million in new state financing to combat water contamination. But that’s just the start.
We are now working to advance legislation that would ensure private well owners have the right to know if their water is contaminated. This legislation is supported by over 60 stakeholders and a bipartisan group of over 60 legislators. You can’t fix a problem you don’t know exists – and too many people are drinking unsafe water without realizing it.
Our vision is simple: Every person in Wisconsin should be able to turn on the tap and drink clean, safe water. Achieving that goal depends on people like you.
How to take action
Contact your legislators
Urge them to support legislation that improves water testing and transparency.
Donate
Support our fight for clean water across Wisconsin.
Volunteer with us
Write postcards, knock on doors, make calls and more. After you sign up, a team member will follow up.
Test your water
If you rely on a private well for your drinking water, it's important to test your water for toxins like PFAS, nitrate, and lead to protect your health and the health of your family. The Department of Health Services recommends testing for nitrate at least once a year lead at least once every five years.
Testing can give you an idea of the water quality where you live. Unfortunately, the vast majority of homeowners rarely test their drinking water, leaving them unaware of the risks to their health.
For more information on when to test your private well, what to test for, and how to do it, check out this resource from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.