ELLSWORTH - Pierce County is kicking off the first year of a county-wide effort to measure groundwater quality changes. In partnership with the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Water and Environmental Analysis Lab, 350 wells will be selected throughout the county for annual testing. Unlike past sampling, this study will involve the same wells year after year to observe changes over time.

Eligible households will receive a letter inviting them to participate. Wells are selected based on known geology documented when they were drilled and a general location. Agreeing to participate starts with mailing back the postcard enclosed in the letter. Then later this fall the university will mail a bottle to take a water sample with a pre-paid mailer to return the sample for testing. This process will continue annually in the fall through 2029.

Participating wells will be tested for nitrate-nitrogen, chloride, pH, hardness, conductivity, and alkalinity once a year in the fall for five years at no cost. Well owners will receive copies of their results. Personal information of participants will not be collected or shared.

This program was granted funding by the Pierce County Board of Supervisors in response to the recommendations of the Groundwater Ad Hoc Committee to better the community's understanding of how local groundwater quality changes over time.

Pierce County Land Conservation offers technical and financial assistance for soil and water conservation practices, farmland preservation, tree sales, deer damage claims, and other related soil and water conservation programs.

Submitted by Pierce County Land Conservation