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LeeAnn Podruch

Why do well water testing?


Here are some things you should know about your well water:

  • You cannot see, taste, or smell most well water contaminants

  • Most common pollutants: coliform bacteria and nitrates

  • Coliform bacteria—indicates the sanitary condition of your well

  • A sanitary well should not contain any coliform bacteria

  • Presence indicates a potential for disease causing organisms to enter the well

  • If coliform bacteria are present in the water sample, first re-sample to rule out any error

  • Check for sanitary defects such as a loose well cap, a crack in the casing, inadequate seal around the well casing

  • Correct any visible defects, disinfect with bleach solution and re-test

  • Nitrate—chemical commonly found in agricultural and lawn fertilizer or waste materials such as manure or septic effluent decompose

  • Natural level of nitrate in Wisconsin’s groundwater is less than 1 mg/L

  • Drinking water standard for nitrate-nitrogen is 10 mg/L

  • WI Department of Public Health recommends people of all ages avoid long-term consumption of water with nitrate concentrations greater than 10 mg/L but less than 2 mg/ is preferred

  • Water greater than 10 mg/L should not be consumed by infants less than 6 months of age or pregnant women

  • Corrective actions include

  • extending the casing depth of the well, lowering the depth of the existing well, or drilling a new well may help reduce nitrate levels

  • use bottled water for drinking and cooking

  • connect to a public water supply if possible

  • use a water treatment device designed to reduce nitrate levels such as reverse osmosis

  • Testing kits are available at Marathon County Health Department or UWSP

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