Southwest Wisconsin has fractured bedrock beneath generally thin soils, putting groundwater at risk for contamination.
The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of groundwater quality in southwest Wisconsin and to better understand how local hydrogeology and well construction characteristics affect groundwater quality.
Project objectives
- Evaluate private well contamination using indicator bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and nitrate;
- Assess well construction and geological characteristics (e.g., well age, depth to bedrock) that affect total coliform and nitrate contamination; and
- Identify the source of contamination (people, cows, or pigs) in a subset of wells that tested positive for total coliform and nitrate.
Resources for private well owners
More about the study
- Website: https://iowa.uwex.edu/community-development/swigg/
- Press release (June 6, 2019) SWIGG study completes the first phase
- Video (May 24, 2019) Keeping Wisconsin Water Clean (Wisconsin Public Television—Here & Now)
- News article (Jan. 2, 2019): Hazardous drinking water found in 42% of southwest Wisconsin wells (Wisconsin State Journal)
- Press release (Sept. 24, 2018): Well water study announced for southwestern Wisconsin
More information
For more details about this project, please contact
- Ken Bradbury (WGNHS), ken.bradbury@wisc.edu
- Joel Stokdyk (USGS), jstokdyk@usgs.gov
