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Water Testing & Education

Green County Drinking Water Testing & Education Program

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 that water quality meets current drinking water standards, private well owners must assume the responsibility of testing and treating water to ensure that it is safe to drink.

The Green County UW-Extension Office hosts educational programs on drinking water quality for Green County residents. Households that test their drinking water as part of this program will receive their test results at a 90-minute educational program, however, the program is open to anyone interested in learning about drinking water quality. Speakers from UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 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 well construction, maintenance and abandonment.

This is a valuable opportunity for you to learn about the quality of your drinking water and groundwater resources. Because of the large number of wells that are tested during this time it also offers the community an opportunity to gain a better understanding of local water quality.

If you are interested in a program in your local area, contact Cara Carper at cara.carper@ces.uwex.edu or 608-328-9441.

Testing Options

  • Homeowners Package: tests for nitrate, coliform bacteria, pH, alkalinity, hardness, corrosivity and chloride—$42
  • Metals Package: tests for arsenic, lead, copper, iron, zinc, manganese, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and sulfate—$42
  • Triazine Screen: tests for triazine (weed killing herbicide commonly used in Wisconsin)—$27
  • Homeowners, Metals and Triazine—$103 (a savings of $8)

Instructions for Sampling

Detailed instructions for taking your samples are available by clicking here. You will receive a copy of the instructions when you pick up your bottles.

Water Contaminants:

Drinking water can be contaminated from a variety of sources. Most water pollutants cannot be easily detected by taste or smell. Having your water tested is the best way to determine if your drinking water has been contaminated. A certified laboratory can determine if it is free of harmful chemicals or bacteria.

Private Wells:

Most rural residents rely on a private well for their drinking water. If a private well is properly installed, the owner can be reasonably assured of a safe, drinkable water supply. However, a variety of contaminants can pollute private water supplies. If you have a private well, you should test your water regularly, even if you do not observe any smells stains or changes in the taste of your drinking water. anyone buying or selling a home with a private well should also have their water tested.

Tips for Water Testing:

–Water testing is important when you first construct or become the owner of a well.
–Test for bacteria yearly, and whenever the water changes in taste, odor, color or appearance. Coliform bacteria are usually not harmful, but indicate the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria.
–Sample for nitrates once every five years if levels are low. If the first sample shows elevated levels (above 5 parts per million (ppm)) consider testing seasonally to determine if any fluctuations in nitrate levels occur throughout the year. Test for nitrate before infants or pregnant women drink the water; do not give the water or formula made with the water to infants if tests show 10 ppm or more nitrogen.
–Test for atrazine at least once if pesticide is used in the area.
–Test for lead and copper at lest once if your water is naturally soft and your home was constructed before 1985, or if you have small children at home. Lead an copper can dissolve in to water from pipes and solder joints in home plumbing and can represent a significant health threat.
–Sample for VOCs (volatile organic compounds) if the well is near a gasoline storage area, an old or new landfill, other facilities where chemicals were used, or if you notice a solvent taste or odor.
–Water testing is not enough! A water test only provides a “snapshot” of today’s water quality. Groundwater quality can change over time. To ensure good water quality for the future, you must be sure that your well is both properly constructed and is located a safe distance from sources of contamination.

Explanation of Select Water Tests:

Nitrate: This is a form of nitrogen that can dangerously reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood of infants under six months old. It may also harm the fetus. Nitrate is a common contaminant from fertilizers, septic systems, and animal waste. It may also indicate the presence of other contaminants or pollution pathways through the soil.

Bacteria: Bacteria, viruses, and parasites in water can cause disease. A coliform bacteria test indicates the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria from human or animal waste. Coliform bacteria are the most common contaminants found in private water systems.

pH: indicates the water’s acidity and helps to determine if water will erode plumbing.

Chloride: High concentrations of chloride often indicate contamination problems from septic systems, fertilizers, landfills or road salts.

Lead & Copper: Lead and copper can be leached into the water from pipes or solder and can present a significant health threat. Lead was typically used in pre-1985 plumbing.

Sodium: Sodium is often found in groundwater in elevated amounts from road salts, water softening salts, or septic system effluent. It causes elevated blood pressure in susceptible individuals.

Triazine Screen: The most common pesticide found in Wisconsin’s groundwater is atrazine, which is used to control weeds in corn crops. A triazine screen is generally a good first indicator of pesticide contamination in wells that are located near corn fields.

County Testing Results

Below are the results from previous drinking water testing programs held in Green County.

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Northern Green County (January/February 2005)

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Map of Northern Green County 2005 Land Use (1 page, 194 KB)
(note: percentages are out of the number of samples tested for that item, not necessarily out of the total number of samples)

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Program Evaluation Results (18 respondents)

  • 4 retested their water
  • 2 informed neighbors of problem
  • 3 read additional information
  • 1 sought advice from neighbors or friends
  • 2 sought advice from professionals
  • 1 stopped drinking well water
  • 1 stopped providing well water to children
  • 1 stopped providing well water to animals
  • 2 bought bottled water
  • 3 repaired or modified well
  • 1 sealed abandoned well with bentonite
  • 1 changed location of well

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Southern Green County (September/October 2005)

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Map of Southern Green County 2005 Land Use (1 page, 194 KB)
(note: percentages are out of the number of samples tested for that item, not necessarily out of the total number of samples)

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Program Evaluation Results (16 respondents)

  • 3 retested their water
  • 3 read additional information
  • 2 carried water from another location
  • 1 sought advice from professionals
  • 1 stopped providing well water to children
  • 1 stopped providing well water to animals
  • 1 repaired or modified well
  • 1 decreased fertilizer application on lawn

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Towns of Adams and York (Green County) and Towns of Argyle and Elk Grove (Lafayette County) (August/September 2006)

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Map of Adams, York and Argyle 2006 Land Use (1 page, 260 KB)
(note: percentages are out of the number of samples tested for that item, not necessarily out of the total number of samples)

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Water Quality Publications

Drinking Water

Home Water Safety Series

Other Water Publications
Clean Water Website