Problem:  The state of Wisconsin first began to address the 
problem of water quality in the 1950s and 1960s.  By the 1970s, 
however, it was evident that the existing pollution cleanup 
programs were insufficient to maintain the desired water quality.

Proposed solution:  In 1978, the legislature established the 
Wisconsin Fund, designed to help localities comply with the 
federal clean water regulations.  By discussing the importance of 
clean water to the continued success of the state's tourism and 
agricultural industries, the government leaders built popular 
support for the fund, which took advantage of federal matching 
funds programs in addition to providing other funding for the 
water projects.  To encourage localities to develop water-
treatment facilities, the Wisconsin Fund offers grants in 
different stages to finance the planning, design, and construction 
of these facilities.  

Evaluation:  The vast majority of the state's localities were 
operating in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act by the 
1983 deadline; those not meeting the deadline were all in the 
process of building the necessary facilities at that time.  The 
fund is now being developed for use in addressing other 
environmental problems in the state.

Contact:  Jeff Smoller, Information Director, Wisconsin Department 
of Natural Resources.

Citation:  "An Extra Effort Wins Water Quality Payoffs."  EPA 
Journal, v. 11 (April 1985), pp. 14-15.

Keywords: environment water pollution clean water act matching 
funds

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