You have a Right to Know what’s in your water – and to demand accountability
Every Wisconsinite has the right to clean water. No exceptions. Yet one-third of families rely on private wells that don’t receive the same protections as public water systems. Without regular testing or required notifications, thousands of households are left in the dark about what’s coming out of their faucets.
Contaminants like nitrate, PFAS, lead, and arsenic can’t be seen, tasted, or smelled but their impacts can be devastating. From developmental delays in children to chronic illnesses and higher healthcare costs, these pollutants quietly harm our families and our future.
Testing is the first step toward change. Knowledge is power, and every family deserves to know if their water is safe. This page provides tools, guidance, and resources to help private well owners test their water, understand their results, and take action. Polluters – not our communities – should bear the cost of contamination, but together, we can demand fairness, accountability, and a future where every Wisconsinite can trust the water they drink.
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.
The Water and Environmental Analysis Lab (WEAL) at UW-Stevens Point is state-certified and conducts water testing across the state. We recommend the Homeowner, Metals, or Comprehensive Homeowner Packages, but WEAL can help you figure out what’s right for you. You can request a test kit online or by phone and it will be shipped to your door. Since you’re testing for live bacteria in your water, it’s important that you use overnight shipping to submit your sample. Your local UW-Extension office may also have kits available.
Visit WEAL’s website to learn more about testing or call 715-346-3209
To test for PFAS in your drinking water, contact the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene at 608-262-3750 or by visiting their website.
Find out how you can clean up your water with Treatment Devices for Private Well Contaminants from the Wisconsin Department of Human Services.
You might be eligible for support from Wisconsin's Well Compensation Grant Program. To find out if you're eligible, you can visit here.
Once you receive your results, send them to your state legislators and ask them to support private well owners and Right to Know legislation today.
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. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services estimates that 10 percent of private wells have nitrate contamination.
Join us to continue advocating for a Wisconsin where every resident – no matter where they live – can trust the water that comes out of their tap.
- Learn more about Right to Know legislation.
- Become a member of Wisconsin Conservation Voters to help ensure a health, beautiful Wisconsin for all to enjoy.