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On October 12, 2020, city officials in La Crosse, Wisconsin released a statement informing residents of PFAS contamination in two municipal wells and groundwater samples collected near the La Crosse Regional Airport. They stated the source of this contamination is PFAS-containing firefighting foam used in fire training burn pits at the site. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommended testing of between 70 and 75 wells downstream from the airport. City officials suggested increasing the testing sample to 120 to 130 wells.
In mid-January 2021, results from the 109 tested drinking water wells showed that at least 40 contained PFAS above the DNRs recommended 20 parts per trillion, with one well containing PFAS levels of 3,200 parts per trillion.
Officials recommended that homes relying on the 40 wells utilize bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. The city provided the bottled water to the 32 homes that accepted the service.
In early February 2021, the City of La Crosse was served by an attorney representing 125 individuals whose private wells contained PFAS. They believe the city should cover the costs for a permanent clean water source, medical expenses caused by the contamination, and any reduction to their property values.
In response, the City of La Crosse filed a lawsuit on March 4, 2021 against 23 chemical companies for causing PFAS contamination in public and private wells. The suit claims that these companies continued to manufacture and sell products using the “forever chemicals” even though they were aware of the dangers caused to human health and the environment.