Residents of Stella, a small town in northern Wisconsin, are now eligible for a complimentary bottled water program initiated by a paper company linked to PFAS contamination. Ahlstrom, the owner of the Rhinelander mill, has launched this initiative to support the community within three miles of the Stella Town Hall. Approximately 300 letters have been sent out to inform eligible residents about the program, which allows them to receive bottled water without the need for prior well testing.
The program is managed by Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, with Culligan Water handling the monthly delivery and collection of 5-gallon water jugs. Ahlstrom’s North America communications manager, Tricia Schwartz, emphasized the company’s dedication to the area, where it employs 425 mill workers. “We understand that concerns about drinking water have been raised by residents of the region, and we are working to be part of the solution,” Schwartz noted.
This initiative follows the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) identification of Ahlstrom and other paper companies as sources of extensive PFAS contamination last autumn. Soil samples indicated PFAS levels significantly higher than normal in areas where paper mill waste had been dispersed.
Stella’s Town Chairman, Casey Crump, acknowledged the program, mentioning that state-provided emergency bottled water has been available for several years. “I do commend them. They are doing something now that they’ve been told they have to,” Crump remarked, stressing the need for comprehensive solutions for the community.
Ahlstrom clarified that the bottled water initiative is voluntary and not a regulatory requirement. Christine Sieger, director of the DNR’s Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment, stated that the department had not mandated Ahlstrom’s action but acknowledged the company’s proactive approach.
Stella’s private wells have shown PFAS concentrations among the highest recorded in the nation, with levels vastly exceeding federal drinking water standards. Testing has revealed that over one-third of the 241 wells tested contain concerning chemical levels, prompting the DNR to expand sampling efforts to 400 additional wells in surrounding areas.
Chairman Crump advocates for further assistance in treating contaminated wells that remain unreplaced. He suggests that Ahlstrom should consider funding filtration systems and related maintenance, as well as covering the costs for PFAS testing in homes not yet evaluated by the DNR.
Over the past three years, the DNR has allocated $120,100 to supply temporary water to 63 homes in Stella. Residents eligible for the new program can sign up via a QR code or by contacting Langan at (715) 994-9894. Those currently receiving water from the DNR can transition to Ahlstrom’s program, with Culligan ensuring continued distribution. The initiative is set to run for at least one year, with a review planned for January 2027.
