Healthy Water, Healthy Communities

Unsafe drinking water is linked to cancer, diabetes, infant brain damage, lifelong learning and behavioral problems, and many more negative health outcomes.

These terrible effects on our individual health combine to create tragic consequences for communities across Wisconsin. Not only are there permanent, multi-generational physical effects, individuals and communities face a financial burden, too.

Wisconsin is facing three main threats to its drinking water quality: PFAS, lead, and nitrate.

Wisconsin is a community. It’s a six million-strong network of towns, villages, and cities that depend on one another. We share hopes, dreams, and challenges. Some thrive thanks to the plow, some the assembly line, others technology and research. Some are wealthy. Others face serious roadblocks to prosperity.

No matter where you live in Wisconsin – or who you are – water is one of the strongest bonds you share with your neighbors. Unfortunately, water in Wisconsin is suffering, and as it suffers so do our communities. Without clean drinking water, no community can thrive.

PFAS in our water.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals resistant to heat, water, and oil. For decades, PFAS have been used for industrial applications, firefighting foam, and consumer products such as carpeting, waterproof clothing, upholstery, food packaging, and various paper products.

Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS do not breakdown in the environment. Because it is so long-lasting, municipalities often release the compounds in treated wastewater and sewage sludge that is applied to farm fields as fertilizer.

There is mounting evidence linking PFAS to a long list of negative health effects including:

  • Cancer

  • Liver damage

  • Decreased fertility

  • Increased risk of asthma

  • Increased risk of thyroid disease

  • Growth, learning, and behavior impairment

  • Interference with the body’s natural hormones

  • Increased cholesterol levels

Truth is, we don’t know how widespread the exposure to these dangerous chemicals might be. There are no state or federal guidelines establishing what levels of these chemicals are acceptable in our drinking water.

We don’t know for how long or how many of us have been drinking PFAS contaminated water, or understanding the consequences for our health.

There is legislation circulating now that would take a comprehensive approach to preventing and remediating PFAS pollution. SB 302/AB 321, or the CLEAR Act, would require the DNR to establish standards that will protect human health in our drinking water, surface water, groundwater, soil, and air. The legislation will also require the clean-up of PFAS chemicals when human health is at risk.

Learn more about PFAS pollution here.

Lead in our water.

More than 176,000 lead service lines are in operation today, with more than 80 Wisconsin communities having lead pipes in their systems.

The percent of children with high blood-lead levels in Wisconsin exceeds the national average, hovering around five percent.

Some communities, like Watertown and Milwaukee, have levels over eight percent, meaning one in twelve children have lead poisoning. Between 1996 and 2016 more than 200,000 children were diagnosed as lead-poisoned in Wisconsin.

Children with elevated blood lead levels can suffer profound and permanent health problems including:

  • Brain damage

  • Reduced IQs

  • Behavioral problems

  • Increased violence

  • Increased suspensions from school

  • Decreased academic performance

Lead is also harmful to adults. Exposure is linked to cardiovascular effects, hypertension, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems.

Learn more about lead in Milwaukee by visiting the Coalition on Lead Emergency’s website.

Nitrate in our water.

Nitrate in groundwater is due largely to agricultural activity and is linked to negative health effects including cancer, birth defects, even infant death. Farm run-off that gets into our groundwater, lakes, and streams contains dangerous pathogens, bacteria, and chemicals. Nearly 100,000 homes in Wisconsin have wells contaminated with nitrate.

The health risks include:

  • Blue Baby Syndrome, an emergency health situation in which infants are not getting enough oxygen in their blood and can die;

  • Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including very low birth weight, very pre-term birth, and incurable brain and spinal cord defects like spina bifida;

  • Cancers, including colorectal, bladder, ovarian, thyroid, and kidney; and

  • Diabetes, especially in children.

Families are suffering across the state. Erika Balza’s Kewaunee County home is everything to her and her husband, Rob. When they woke to liquid manure streaming from their faucets and shower, their dream home turned into a nightmare. They had to replace a well and buy new appliances, but still can’t drink their water. Erika, disgusted by the situation, spoke up on local television and through Wisconsin Conservation Voters. Her willingness to share her family’s story helped bring the reality of the state’s drinking water crisis to the forefront

There are solutions. 

Most importantly, we need to prevent pollution before it gets into our water. In 2018, the Department of Natural Resources Board approved strengthened manure spreading rules in eastern Wisconsin called NR 151. Now, it’s time to extend those rules to all parts of the state we know are most sensitive to nitrate pollution.

In addition, NR 151 should be strengthened in the next 10 years to include enforcement mechanisms so that polluters can be held accountable.

We also need to help people whose water is already contaminated. The state’s well compensation program, which provides grants for well replacement, only replaces wells that provide water for farm animals – not humans! Also, the household income limits haven’t been changed since 1984.

It’s time to modernize income requirements and make wells that human beings use eligible for replacement, too.

Test your water.

Unlike municipal water systems, private well water testing is the homeowner’s responsibility. If you depend on a well for your water, it's essential to test it for toxins. If you're not ready to commit to a test use this well water map from UW-Stevens Point. It can give you an idea of the water quality where you live. Unfortunately, 10 percent of homeowners test their water only every couple years while 30 percent test every 5-10 years, and the remaining test rarely or only once. Water quality changes constantly, it's wise to test at least once a year for nitrate and bacteria. Click below for a complete guide on well water testing.

 

When to test your private well water:

  • At least annually for bacteria and nitrate

  • Whenever there is a change in odor, appearance, or taste

  • When you suspect your well has been compromised by flooding

  • Whenever the well is modified in any way

How to test

Unlike municipal water systems, private well water testing is the homeowner’s responsibility.

There are many public and private labs that test well water. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains a list online here or you can contact your local health department. A test kit (including sampling instructions) may be obtained from any laboratory certified to test water for bacteriological and nitrate contamination. Make sure you carefully follow all instructions for sampling and handling.

Testing costs can vary, so be sure to ask about price. If needed, ask your health department about payment options and whether it offers financial assistance for testing. If you're concerned about PFAS in your water, look at the DNR's list of certified labs to choose a testing lab that has been granted PFAS certification in the state of Wisconsin.

What now?

If your water tests positive for coliform bacteria, it may indicate fecal contamination of your well. The lab will then test for other pathogens like e. coli. The presence of e. coli in your drinking water can be dangerous. If your water tests above the limits for nitrates or e. coli, you should stop drinking your well water.

Read this informational sheet from UW Extension on ways to improve water quality in your home. Unfortunately, fixes like well replacement and whole-house filtration systems are often very expensive and are not foolproof.

The most reliable way to fix water quality issues is to prevent drinking water pollution in the first place.


 

Fixing the problem

If you are already experiencing water quality problems or your test comes back indicating you do, it’s important that the elected officials who represent you hear your story. You can:

If you don't want to share your results to the public you can:

  • Make sure that you’re not drinking contaminated water – first, take action to ensure your safety

  • See if you qualify for well compensation

  • Share your results with your state and local lawmakers and ask that they keep the results confidential

  • Set up a private meeting with your lawmakers