Sauk County Drinking Water Program
Sponsored by Local Town Boards, Sauk County
UW-Extension and the Land Conservation Department.
The luxury of quality
drinking water is something that many of us commonly take for
granted. Municipal and other public water supplies are subject
to strict guidelines and water quality testing to ensure that
the water meets the current drinking water standards and is safe
to drink. However there are over 800,000 private wells which serve
as the primary water supply for a large number of people throughout
the state. Drinking water can be
contaminated from a variety of sources, and most water pollutants
cannot be easily detected by taste or smell. Getting your water
tested annually is the best way to determine if your drinking water has
been contaminated by chemicals or bacteria.
In a recent survey conducted by UW-Stevens Point, 73% of survey respondants had not tested their drinking water in the last five years, 57% did not know the depth of their well, and 66% did not know the depth to water in their wells. The Sauk County drinking water program provides a convenient opportunity to test your drinking water and learn about the issues facing well water in Sauk County. Water Sampling Protocol
Baraboo and Greenfield Town residents will have an opportunity to participate in a Drinking Water Program in February of 2009.
Participants
will learn about their drinking water quality
and quantity, and what actions they take to
protect Sauk County's groundwater. If you are
a homeowner with a private well, it is important
that you get your water tested once
a year. Groundwater is constantly moving, so
a water sample taken today may have different
results than a sample taken a year ago. GET
INVOLVED and
find out what you and your family are drinking.
Directions:
-
What Tests are Available? |
Cost |
Homeowner Package includes tests for nitrate,
coliform bacteria, pH, alkalinity, hardness, conductivity,
corrosivity, and chloride. |
|
DACT Screen tests for triazine-type pesticides
like atrazine. |
$27 |
The Metals Package tests for copper, lead,
iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, sodium, calcium,
and magnesium. |
$42 |
Pick up a water bottle at your Town Hall on February 20th from 4-6pm or 21st from 8-11am.
- Pay your testing fees when you pick up the bottle. Please make your checks out to Sauk County UW-Extension.
- Fill your water bottle on Monday FEBRUARY 23rd - NOT BEFORE
and keep it refrigerated!
- Return your water bottle to your Town Hall on Monday February 23rd from either 7-9am or
4-7pm.
- Water test results will be
returned and discussed at an educational program on March 26th
from 7:30pm-9:00pm at the West Square Building located at 505 Broadway in Baraboo..
In 2008 the Towns of Honey Creek, Prairie du Sac, and Troy participated in the drinking water program. Nearly 120 households voluntarity tested their drinking water. Click here for to view Kevin Masarik's presentation.
In 2007 the Towns of Winfield, Dellona and Excelsior participated in the drinking water program. Over 140 households voluntarily tested their drinking water. Click here for the powerpoint of the results presented by Kevin Masarik.
In 2006 the Towns of Franklin and Spring Green participated in the drinking water program. Over 135 households voluntarily tested their drinking water. Click here for the result maps distributed at the program.
2008 Groundwater Basics Presentation by Jenny Erickson
UWEX
and WDNR Drinking Water Publications
( Available
as PDF files)
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More information can be found at:
For more information
please contact:
Jenny Erickson
Sauk County - UW Extension
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI 53913-2404
jennifer.erickson@ces.uwex.edu
Phone: 608-355-3250
Fax: 608-355-3550
TDD: 608-355-3490
Email: jennifer.erickson@ces.uwex.edu
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