Green County Annual Drinking Water Testing

Droplet of water causing ripples on surface.

Most people living in rural areas rely on private wells to supply their drinking water needs. While public and municipal wells are regulated to ensure water quality meets current drinking water standards, private well owners must assume the responsibility of testing and treating water to ensure it is safe to drink. Groundwater specialists strongly encourage rural residents to test their water annually for bacteria and nitrate.

The Extension Green County office, in partnership with the townships in Green County,
coordinates an annual drinking water testing program. These tests are solely for educational
purposes and do not have any regulatory component. Individual testing results are not reported
to any regulatory agency.

Following the drinking water testing program, Extension Green County hosts an educational program on drinking water quality. Households that test their drinking water as part of this program may ask questions about their specific test results. This program is open to anyone interested in learning about drinking water quality. Extension water quality experts will discuss how to protect your drinking water, how to get your water tested, interpret water test results and address unsafe drinking water, as well as provide information about water construction, maintenance, and abandonment.  

I wasn't able to participate March 2024 annual drinking water testing program. What should I do?

If you want to test your water in 2024, and did not participate during the 2024 annual drinking water  testing program, you can get test kits through the Green County Health Department. Check out their website Green County Public Health-Water Testing for more information. 

Even if your tests are taken through another program, you can contact Victoria Solomon with Extension Green County or Kevin Masarik with the Center for Watershed Science and Education with questions about understanding test results and options for managing your drinking water.  

How can I learn more about my well construction?

How to Request a Copy of a DNR Well Constructor’s Report
There are a number of resources available from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on well construction reports. These resources are available online: WIsconsin DNR-Information for Private Well Owners and please note this is for private well owners only.

Care and Maintenance of Residential Septic Systems
The Care and Maintenance of Residential Septic Systems.pdf (4pgs) document is helpful in understanding residential septic systems and how to properly maintain them.

Wisconsin Well Construction Reports
For an online database of well construction reports in Wisconsin, view the Wisconsin Well Construction Reports. 

You and Your Well
This You and Your Well.pdf (4pgs) publication by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides information about well construction in Wisconsin. It is helpful for people who are considering building a new home or replacing or upgrading an existing water supply.

What can I do to improve my private well water quality?

Check out these documents for information on how to improve your private well water quality:

How can I find results from past Green County annual drinking water testing programs?

The following aggregated test results from the annual drinking water testing programs are below. Individual well results are not shared with anyone other than the well owner.

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2018   

2017

2016

2015

2014

2010

2006

2005

Questions? Contact:

  • Victoria Solomon, Community Resource Educator, Extension Green County at (608) 328-9440 or victoria.solomon@wisc.edu.
  • Kevin Masarik, Groundwater Education Specialist, UW-Stevens Point & UW-Madison Division of Extension at (715)346-4276 or kmasarik@uwsp.edu.

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