PRIORITY CAMPAIGN
Private well owners have a right to know what’s in their water
The problem
Private well owners face a multitude of safe drinking water challenges, often without support for identifying contamination and remediating it.
No matter who we are or where we live, all of us want to be able to turn on our tap and know the water coming out of it is safe to drink – for us and the people we love.
Approximately one-third of Wisconsinites rely on groundwater from private wells for their drinking water. Without regular testing, required notifications, or state support, thousands of families remain unaware of the risks in their drinking water. Some of the contaminants include nitrate, PFAS, lead, and arsenic, which can cause serious illnesses.
Seven years ago, Katy and Dennis Matzek’s three-year-old son was hospitalized with a life-threatening E. coli infection. Only afterward did they learn that a manure spill had occurred in their area. Testing of their well confirmed their drinking water had been contaminated.
The solution and how you can take action
The first step to solving a problem is knowing you have one. Unlike Wisconsinites on municipal water systems who get annual notifications about their water quality, private well owners are rarely notified when local ground or surface water is contaminated. These communities need legislators to fight for their health and ensure they are aware of potential contamination.
Watch Tarion's story and how groundwater contamination has impacted his life.
Health impacts
Protecting the health of our families and fellow Wisconsinites should be our number one priority. Everyone deserves clean drinking water. The contaminants found in drinking water are proven to have serious health effects on the people who consume them.
Here are some of the most common contaminants found in private wells in Wisconsin:
- NITRATE: A common contaminant from manure and fertilizer and is linked to serious negative health effects including cancer, birth defects, and even infant death. An estimated 42,000 private wells exceed the health standard for nitrate.
- PFAS: These are dangerous, man-made chemicals tied to increased cholesterol levels, thyroid disease, certain cancers, and pregnancy complications. In a recent study of Wisconsin’s private wells, 71 percent of samples detected at least one PFAS chemical.
- LEAD: Elevated blood lead levels in children are associated with hearing loss, lower IQs, developmental delays, behavioral challenges, and emotional impacts like anxiety and depression. Many homes across Wisconsin still rely on pipes and faucets that may contain lead.
Test your water
If you rely on a private well for your drinking water, it's important to test your water for toxins like PFAS, nitrate, and lead to protect your health and the health of your family. The Department of Health Services recommends testing for nitrate at least once a year lead at least once every five years.
Testing can give you an idea of the water quality where you live. Unfortunately, the vast majority of homeowners rarely test their drinking water, leaving them unaware of the risks to their health.
For more information on when to test your private well, what to test for, and how to do it, check out this resource from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
