Paper company named responsible for PFAS pollution offers bottled water to Stella

By Danielle Kaeding | Wisconsin Public Radio | January 25, 2026

Read the full article by Danielle Kaeding (Wisconsin Public Radio)

"A paper company that’s been named responsible for PFAS contamination is launching a bottled water program for residents in the northern Wisconsin town of Stella.

Ahlstrom, which owns the Rhinelander mill, launched the program Thursday for residents living in a 3-mile radius of the Stella Town Hall. The company sent out about 300 letters to eligible residents, who would be able to receive bottled water free of charge without testing their wells.

The program will be run by Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, and 5-gallon jugs of bottled water will be delivered and collected monthly by Culligan Water. The program reinforces the company’s commitment to the region as a longtime employer of the mill’s 425 employees, said Tricia Schwartz, communications manager for Ahlstrom’s operations in North America."