The State of Wisconsin has approved more than $484 million in funding to support wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements in 82 municipalities, according to an announcement from Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The funding will be distributed through the Clean Water Fund Program, which provides low-interest loans and financial assistance to local governments for water quality projects. State officials said the investments will prioritize small and disadvantaged communities and address aging infrastructure, phosphorus reduction requirements, and system reliability.
Of the total allocation, $438 million will be provided as subsidized loans, while $46 million will be issued as principal forgiveness, which does not need to be repaid. Projects are expected to be awarded over the next year, with funds disbursed as construction and eligible costs are incurred.
Since its creation in 1991, the Clean Water Fund Program has provided more than $6.5 billion in assistance to Wisconsin municipalities
Among the preliminarily approved projects is a $3.38 million award to the Arkansaw Sanitary District #1 to connect its system to an existing treatment plant in Durand. The city of Portage will receive more than $55 million to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant and add a biosolids drying system, while Brockway Sanitary District #1 is slated to receive just over $500,000 to replace a collapsed, decades-old force main.
Since its creation in 1991, the Clean Water Fund Program has provided more than $6.5 billion in assistance to Wisconsin municipalities. State officials said the latest round of funding includes federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund dollars, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, and grants targeted at emerging contaminants such as PFAS.
The administration said additional borrowing authorized in the 2025–27 state budget is intended to help meet growing demand from local governments seeking to modernize water infrastructure and maintain water quality statewide.
