Water Information
WATER Information: Worried about what’s in your drinking water? Terrific resources for more information and help are:
- Portage County Planning and Zoning (715.346.1334) https://www.co.portage.wi.us/department/planning-zoning/groundwater-management
- Understanding Ground Water in Portage County Groundwater-in-Portage-County
- Portage County Residents are eligible to receive a free lab-certified water test, and may be eligible for financial assistance for a reverse osmosis treatment system Portage County WATER-Well Assistance Project 2023
- Free Water Test to any Portage County resident who uses a private well Portage County WATER Program 2023
- Free Water Testing: Portage County Planning and Zoning (715.346.1334) https://www.co.portage.wi.us/department/planning-zoning/water-resources/portage-county-water-well-owner-assistance-for-treatment-and-economic-recovery-project/water-test-registration-form
- The UWSP Water and Environmental Analysis Lab provides water testing for a nominal fee https://www3.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/weal/Pages/Homeowner.aspx
- What are the ‘safe’ maximum contaminant levels in water for your health and how to interpret and understand those water test values? (Especially important for children and pregnant women) Wisconsin DNR https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/DrinkingWater/HealthAdvisoryLevels.html
- The DNR Well Compensation Grant Program (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/WellCompensationFAQ.html) provides funding to eligible landowners or renters to replace, reconstruct, or treat contaminated private water supplies that serve a residence or provide water to livestock.
- Nitrate Testing and Assistance Available for Private Well Users Portage County has set aside 2.3 million dollars for projects to improve access to and provide safe drinking water. A program for private residential well users includes a free lab-certified water test and for those that exceed the nitrate-nitrogen drinking water standard of 10 mg/L possibly up to $1,500 towards a reverse osmosis treatment system. Details are in the attached WATER Project Private Well Information Sheet (1) or contact: the Portage County Water Resource Specialist Office (715-346-1334) or Lindsay Benaszeski – Portage County Environmental Health Sanitarian (715-345-5771, benaszeski@co.portage.wi.us).