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Groundwater Management Programs

GCC Report to the Legislature

State agencies and the University of Wisconsin System address numerous issues related to groundwater protection and management. Here are highlights and detailed discussions of the groundwater management activities of each agency, the UWS, the GCC and the Governor's Representative.

Groundwater Coordinating Council (GCC)

Members of the GCC at a meeting
Members of the GCC at a meeting.

Highlights

  • From 10 groundwater-related proposals, seven new projects were selected for funding in FY23 - two by UWS, two by DNR and one by Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP).
  • Two groundwater teacher workshops were held in FY 23. DNR staff worked with the Groundwater Center at the Center for Watershed Science and Education (CWSE) and WGNHS to provide training to educators from 20 schools and nature centers. Each attendee received a free groundwater model for their school.
  • The GCC met four times in FY23 and discussed a variety of topics at its meetings including: the Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology (SWIGG) study; Marinette (JCI/Tyco) PFAS contamination; geospatial data management; investigation of PFAS adsorption by selected Wisconsin aquifer sediments; and the prevalence and source tracing of PFAS in shallow groundwater used for drinking water in Wisconsin.

» Read more.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

DNR Staff overseeing private well install
DNR DG Staff Overseeing Private Well
Installation. © DNR

Highlights

  • The DNR sampled for PFAS and other water quality parameters in 450 private wells, spaced apart geographically across the entire state. The main objective of the research study was to determine concentrations of PFAS present in ambient groundwater, that is, groundwater in locations that are not near a known high concentration release of PFAS.
  • DNR updated residents in the Town of Hudson and Warren in St. Croix County about changes in the status of the remediation of TCE in groundwater and provided information on water treatment technology and maintenance.
  • DNR started accepting applications for the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Programs. The two-year programs will provide $10 million in financial assistance to well owners to address contamination in their wells by awarding grants for the replacement, reconstruction, treatment or abandonment of their well.
  • Over 120 municipal systems voluntarily sampled using EPA Method 537.1 for PFAS in Drinking Water, which detects 18 different PFAS compounds.

» Read more.

Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

Field Edge Groundwater Monitoring
Field Edge Groundwater Monitoring. © DATCP

Highlights

  • Performed annual groundwater sampling of private wells in agricultural areas using a targeted sampling approach and annual sampling of field-edge monitoring wells located on or near agricultural fields.
  • Analyzed about 223 groundwater and 150 surface water samples for more than 100 pesticide compounds and nitrate plus nitrite as nitrogen.
  • Created a Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) designed to encourage agricultural producers to develop innovative approaches to optimize the application of commercial nitrogen for a duration of at least two growing seasons, helping to protect vital soil and water resources. Awards totaled $1.6 million and were granted to 20 producers who will collaborate with a University of Wisconsin (UW) System institution conduct commercial nitrogen optimization field studies.

» Read more.

Department of Health Services (DHS)

DHS staff presenting about PFAS at a conference.
DHS staff presenting about PFAS at a
conference. © DHS.

Highlights

  • The Groundwater Program assisted the DNR in a project to sample public water systems and private wells across the state for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
  • Multiple DHS programs, including the Groundwater program and the Site Evaluation program, provided technical assistance and health education related to more than a dozen groundwater contamination sites in Wisconsin. These programs addressed PFAS contaminants at several locations within the state (e.g., Marinette, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Wausau, Peshtigo, French Island, Madison, Rhinelander, Town of Stella).
  • Wisconsin’s Environmental Public Health Tracking program released a request for applications for local and tribal health departments (LTHDs). Funds are used by grantees to explore data from the County Environmental Health Profiles and the tracking data portal to identify an environmental health concern in their jurisdiction.

» Read more.

Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey (WGNHS)

WGNHS geoscientists investigating a quarry in Dodge County. (Photo by Carsyn Ames)
WGNHS geoscientists investigating a quarry in
Dodge County. © Carsyn Ames

Highlights

  • Investigated Neonicotinoids in groundwater and surface water in Central Wisconsin.
  • Conducted new bedrock geologic mapping in Dodge, Jefferson, Lafayette, and Grant Counties.
  • Investigated groundwater-surface water relationships in Wisconsin streams, lakes, and wetlands.
  • Investigated PFAS in groundwater.
  • Acquired airborne electromagnetic (AEM) geophysical data over large parts of northeast and southwest Wisconsin.

» Read more.

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Dane County Salt Storage
Dane County Salt Storage. © DOT.

Highlights

  • Results of new brine application techniques are showing significant reduction in overall salt use while maintaining clear roads and level of service for the traveling public.
  • Brine solution used last season was 20.2 million gallons, the most in Wisconsin history.
  • Twenty-nine Counties used Direct Liquid Application (DLA) and some Mostly Liquid Route (MLR) last season.
  • Organized a Winter Tech Talk which was a large scale one-day in-person event held at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s in Eau Claire. The event was for winter maintenance operators from the counties to meet, learn, discuss, and share information regarding winter maintenance practices, more specifically related to improvement in liquid use, including direct liquid application.

» Read more.

University of Wisconsin System (UWS)

Water Resources Institute-funded researcher analyzing chemicals in her lab. Photo: Bonnie Willison
Water Resources Institute-funded researcher
analyzing PFAS chemicals in her lab. © Bonnie Willison

Highlights

  • In support of the Wisconsin Groundwater Research and Monitoring Program, provided UWS funding to six research projects focused on groundwater contaminants, including nitrate and road salt; water quantity challenges in the Central Sands; geochemistry and microbiology; and understanding public perspectives and values, and supported graduate and undergraduate students at UW-Milwaukee, UW-Madison, and UW-Platteville.
  • Supported five Water Resources Science-Policy post-graduate fellows in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Water Policy to work on state priority groundwater and surface water challenges, including groundwater toxicology, statewide public health tracking for harmful algal bloom toxin exposure, and a statewide phosphorus conference.
  • Conducted a successful 2022 undergraduate research pilot experience for nine summer interns, resulting in several students applying for graduate water-related studies. The program expanded for summer 2023 and is offering opportunities for 31 students throughout the University of Wisconsin System.

» Read more.

Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)

Installing a private on–site wastewater treatment system  (POWTS), or septic system.
Installing a private on–site wastewater treatment
system (POWTS), or septic system. © DSPS.

Highlights

  • Counties are operating a maintenance program for all POWTS in their jurisdiction.
  • DSPS continued offering training programs for the POWTS industry. This included monthly DSPS POWTS program updates provided virtually, technical training, and inspector training targeting new county inspection staff.
  • Hired two project plan review positions authorized under WI Act 67. The positions are approved through June 2023.
  • Announced funding for UW-Stevens Point Study by Soil and Waste Resources Scientist to Update Septage Disposal Standards.

» Read more.

Governor's Representative Report

Steve Diercks, the Governor's Representative to the GCC,  and his son Andy on their farm in Coloma
Steve Diercks, the Governor's Representative
to the GCC, and his son Andy on their farm in
Coloma. © WPVGA.

Highlights

  • The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) funds several applied research projects led by Dr. Yi Wang, UW Professor of Horticulture, and Dr. Matt Ruark, UW Professor of Soil Science, looking at nitrate concentrations in irrigation water as well as evaluating the performance of multiple potato varieties in low nitrogen environments. The research results will provide important information for growers to help them develop improved nutrient management programs that account for nitrogen being applied in the irrigation water, along with new varieties that use less nitrogen. .
  • Three WPVGA member farms are participating in the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program through WDATCP. Coloma Farms, Plover River Farms and Flyte Family Farms all received grant funding to conduct commercial nitrogen optimization research in 2023 and 2024.
  • The WPVGA continues to collaborate with the University of Wisconsin and the DNR on a new initiative to recognize and reward water conservation. The Wisconsin Water Stewards Program establishes a baseline of water stewardship practices and assists growers in making continuous improvements in the area of water conservation.

» Read more.

Federal Partners

State agencies collaborate with several key federal agency partners to work on Wisconsin groundwater issues, including: