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Mount Horeb woman to lead national drinking water group
News Release Published: November 25, 2009 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Contact: Jill Jonas (608) 267-7545
Jill Jonas - elected president of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
WDNR Photo
MADISON – A Mount Horeb woman who directs state efforts to provide safe drinking water will lead a national safe drinking water group at a time of growing concern countrywide about water quality, quantity and infrastructure.
Jill Jonas, 54, was recently elected the 2011 president of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, a group comprised of counterparts that lead safe drinking water programs in the other 49 states, U.S. territories, the Navajo Nation, and the District of Columbia.
“Being elected is a reflection of the good work and dedication of our Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff,” said Jonas, who has directed Wisconsin’s Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater since 1999.
“The association is a nationally recognized leader on drinking water issues and we will continue effectively consulting and working with EPA, other agencies, associations, and local, state and national officials and legislators in assuring that our water is safe to drink,” said Jonas. “It’s important to be proactive and prevent the contamination of surface water and groundwater and assure its availability, because that's the water we drink.”
The DNR program Jonas leads oversees the 11,446 public water supply systems in Wisconsin, which range from small restaurants and gas stations up to the largest cities such as Madison and Milwaukee. These systems have had an enviable track record of providing clean water to their 3.8 million customers.
In addition, the program is responsible for helping assure the safety of the drinking water for the nearly 1 million households in Wisconsin that rely on private wells by overseeing private well and water system construction, operation and maintenance, and groundwater standard development and resource protection.
Jonas’ past professional experience includes assisting the former Soviet bloc countries of Latvia and Lithuania develop groundwater and drinking water regulations and source water protection strategies, along with assisting surrounding Baltic/European officials on water issues and laws. She holds a master’s degree in Natural Resources with research in aquatic toxicology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.
