DNR to provide well testing at Farm Technology Days

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be offering free well water screenings for nitrate at Farm Technology Days, held from July 12-14. Nitrate is the most common health-related contaminantte found in Wisconsin’s groundwater.

The DNR will be offering free on-the-spot screening, producing results in just a few minutes. People who want their well water screened are invited to bring one cup of well water in any clean water container to Booth 485. Infants and pregnant women should be particularly wary of consuming water with nitrate-nitrogen levels greater than 10 mg/L.

“Statewide, about 10% of private well s may contain high levels of nitrate, and almost one-third of private well owners have never had their water tested for nitrate,” said Stacy Steinke, DNR Private Water Field Supervisor. “We typically see higher nitrate levels occur in areas with a larger agricultural presence or a concentration of septic systems. Everyone should avoid long-term nitrate consumption above the level of 10 parts per million. Areas with sandy soils or fractured bedrock near the surface can make areas more prone to groundwater contamination.”