Key facts
- Tyco Fire Products agreed to a $10 million settlement with Wisconsin over PFAS contamination.
- The lawsuit alleged Tyco contaminated the area around its firefighting training center since the 1960s.
- The settlement funds will go into a trust for PFAS cleanup.
- Tyco will continue providing replacement wells and implementing remediation measures.
- Some residents and former officials expressed disappointment with the settlement amount.
Wisconsin has reached a $10 million settlement with Tyco Fire Products, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls, to address contamination from PFAS chemicals, often called 'forever chemicals,' in the water supply of northeastern Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers described the agreement as a "historic and important milestone" in the effort to hold polluters accountable and ensure clean water for residents. The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged that Tyco had been contaminating the area around its firefighting training center since the 1960s without adequate remediation. Under the settlement, the $10 million will be placed in a trust fund for PFAS cleanup, and Tyco will continue to provide replacement wells, conduct monitoring, and implement long-term remediation measures. However, some residents and local officials, including former Marinette mayor Doug Oitzinger, expressed disappointment, calling the settlement amount "underwhelming" and a "drop in the bucket" compared to the extent of the contamination. Tyco stated it was pleased with the deal, highlighting its extensive work and commitment to the Marinette community, noting it has already spent over $100 million addressing the issue. A second lawsuit against Tyco and other companies over PFAS contamination in Wisconsin remains active.