Results from private well samples are now available
The results have been released of a study conducted to understand the extent of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, in shallow groundwater throughout Wisconsin.
PFAS are a group of humanmade chemicals used for decades, in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam.
These contaminants have made their way into the environment in a variety of ways, including spills of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of wastewater that contain PFAS from treatment plants and use of certain types of firefighting foams.
During the summer and fall of 2022, the DNR used funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to collect water samples from across the state, and analyzed them for PFAS. In doing so, 450 samples were collected, voluntarily, from private wells distributed throughout Wisconsin.
Most private wells that were sampled, had PFAS concentrations below current Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ (DHS) health recommendations, and overall, the number of areas in Wisconsin, with significant PFAS contamination, were limited.
The DNR’s groundwater study shows roughly seven in 10 private wells contain one, or more, PFAS, but only one in 100, contain PFAS above the DHS’ current health guidelines.
“This knowledge will allow us to use our limited resources to address PFAS most efficiently,” said Steve Elmore, director of the DNR’s Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater.
New drinking water regulations that went into effect in Wisconsin, in 2022, require ongoing sampling of public drinking water systems. By the end of 2023, Wisconsin will have PFAS data for nearly all public water systems in the state, because of these regulations.
Private well owners who find their well is impacted by PFAS at levels above the DHS’ health recommendations, may be eligible for grants through the Well Compensation Grant Program, to install a new well or water treatment system. Funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available to municipal water systems and wastewater systems that have been impacted by PFAS.
The DNR is currently working to enact standards for four PFAS compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFBS and HFPO-DA (GenX)) in groundwater. If enacted, standards would help to limit the amount of these compounds that could reach groundwater. This would protect private well owners from PFAS exposure and reduce treatment needs for impacted public water systems that source water from groundwater.
The public is encouraged to participate in the groundwater standards rulemaking process. For more information about this proposed rule and opportunities to participate, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.
