ELLSWORTH - Pierce County commenced the second year of sampling well water throughout the community. Wells in the study are tested for nitrate-nitrogen, chloride, pH, hardness, conductivity, and alkalinity once a year in the fall for five years through the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Water and Environmental Analysis Lab.

Participants, who will be receiving their sample bottles in the mail shortly, are asked to return their 2026 water sample to the post office by Sept. 25 or contact the Land Conservation Department for assistance at 715-273-6763.

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.

Although no statistical trends can be drawn quite yet, Fall 2025 results along with information about other private well testing opportunities can be accessed on the Land Conservation department’s groundwater webpage: https://www.co.pierce.wi.us/departments/land_conservation/groundwater.php

Submitted by Pierce County Land Conservation Department