PRESCOTT – The City of Prescott regularly tests its wells to make sure they remain in compliance with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulations for safe drinking standards. One of the standards is for nitrates, which based on Wisconsin DNR regulations must be below 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L).

On Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 the city received a test result for well #3 for nitrate levels totaling 12.1 mg/L. As a result, the DNR required a confirmation test to verify excess levels, which totaled 12.2 mg/L resulting in an average of 12.1 mg/L. This level exceeds Wisconsin DNR standards for safe drinking water.

The City of Prescott shut off well #3 as part of a standard rotation with well #2 on Sept. 9, 2021 and has switched over to well #2 and #4 for all water service. In the coming weeks and months, engineers will be exploring options for casing a new well in a new location or alternatively bringing well #3 into compliance with treatment options through the removal of nitrates or reconstruction of the current well.

The only reason well #3 would be turned back on in the future would be in the case of a major fire event or emergency situation in the city. It would need to be turned back on to provide adequate water pressure to stop the spread of a potential fire. If such an event took place, public notices would go out to all water users notifying them of the situation and use of well #3.

The City of Prescott takes its duty to provide safe clean drinking water to all our residents extremely seriously. The DNR wants to ensure all our water users are aware of the health concerns related to drinking excess levels of nitrates. You’ll find more information within the public notice included with this press release.

For questions regarding the safety of the City of Prescott drinking water, contact DNR Water Supply Engineer Corey Larson at 715928-1624. For other questions, call Prescott City Hall at 715-262-5544.

Submitted by City of Prescott