A company that owns a paper mill identified as a source of PFAS pollution in a northern Wisconsin lake community has started distributing water to nearby residents.

Ahlstrom has launched a program to provide free bottled water to residents in and around the town of Stella, where groundwater has been found to be contaminated by polyfluoroalkyl substances. Under the plan, residents in the town of Stella and surrounding communities within a three-mile radius are eligible to receive the bottled water.

Ahlstrom has partnered with Culligan Water to deliver five-gallon jugs of bottled water on a monthly basis to eligible residents. The program includes delivering filled 5-gallon water jugs, collecting empty containers, and providing a floor-standing water dispenser at no cost, with no well testing required. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also uses Culligan for its temporary emergency bottled water program in the area.

The Ahlstrom bottled water program began in January 2026. Company officials say they will operate the program through January 2027, then reassess whether to renew it and determine next steps.

Company officials said residents receiving bottled water under the DNR’s emergency program can transfer to Ahlstrom’s program without service interruption.

In a written statement, Ahlstrom said the company is a committed and dependable partner in the Stella community.

“As a longtime employer in our local communities, we understand that concerns about drinking water have been raised by residents of the region and are working to be part of the solution,” read the statement.

In an October 2025 interview, Stella-area homeowner Jean Pederson said it’s important for residents to educate themselves on the dangers and causes of PFAS contamination.

“I’m all about root cause — what caused this problem? Once we know what caused the problem, we can prevent further damage. And maybe we can even enhance cleanup by knowing what the root cause is if we get a straight answer out of the people in our area who are most responsible for this,” Pederson said.

The DNR has identified a paper mill owned by Ahlstom as one of the responsible parties for contaminating residential wells and farm fields with sludge in the town of Stella and its unincorporated community Stark, which are located east of Rhinelander in Oneida County. The area is currently being assessed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for potential Superfund designation.

Eligibility information and instructions for signing up to receive free bottled water are available online or by contacting Langan Engineering and Environmental Services at 715-994-9894.