Worried about what’s in your drinking water? Terrific resources for more information and help are:
Portage County Planning & Zoning
Phone: (715) 346-1334
LINK
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
Phone: (715) 346-1334
LINK
The UWSP Water and Environmental Analysis Lab provides water testing for a nominal fee LINK.
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
LINK
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:
Portage County Water Resource Specialist Office
(715) 346-1334 or
Lindsay Benaszeski
Portage County Environmental Health Sanitarian
Phone: (715) 345-5771
Email: benaszeski@co.portage.wi.us