Van Orden Champions Clean Water Funding for Wisconsin’s Third District in FY24 Interior Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) applauded the inclusion of two of his community project funding provisions in the FY24 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which passed the House today. The FY24 Interior Appropriations Bill will include $2 million for equipment to filter PFAS from drinking water in Eau Claire and $2 million for a new water system for the Town of Campbell in La Crosse. 

“Clean and safe drinking water for Wisconsin families should be a non-negotiable”said Rep. Van Orden. “Unfortunately, it has been too long since folks have been able to use the water in their own homes due to dangerously high PFAS levels. I am proud to have secured these important provisions for Eau Claire and the Town of Campbell in the FY24 Interior Appropriations Bill. Now, we can begin tackling our state’s clean water crisis and get families the clean water they deserve.”

Rep. Van Orden has joined multiple pieces of legislation to advance clean water efforts, including, but not limited to:

• Cosponsored the PFAS Alternatives Act, which would authorize $25 million annually for each fiscal year between 2024 and 2028 to accelerate the development of PFAS-free turnout gear for firefighters, and an additional $2 million annually to support guidance and training for firefighters
• Cosponsored the Healthy H2O Act, which would provide direct assistance to rural communities, households, and nonprofits to test their drinking water and fund filtration technology
• Cosponsored the Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act, which would protect military personnel and American families from PFAS released from Department of Defense facilities

In September, Rep. Van Orden hosted a press conference in the Town of Campbell where he expressed his commitment to finding solutions to the PFAS levels in the town’s drinking water. Click here to watch.