PFAS_Content Page_PFAS Contamination in Private Wells

PFAS Contamination in Private Wells

About one-quarter of Wisconsin's population drinks water drawn from over 800,000 private wells. Wells are safe, dependable sources of water if sited wisely and built correctly.

DNR Authority And Enforceable Standards

Unlike public water systems, the protection and maintenance of a private well is largely the responsibility of the well owner. Private well owners are not required to sample their water for PFAS or take corrective actions if PFAS are found in their well water.

The DNR recommends private well owners follow the Department of Health Services' (DHS) health-based recommendations.

Drinking Water Sampling

The Wisconsin PFAS Private Well Testing (WisPPWT) program will allow private well owners and users to sample their private well for PFAS at no cost if they are not located within a municipality that is pursuing a grant through the PFAS Community Grants Sampling Program. Once the private well owner or user is determined to be eligible for PFAS sampling through WisPPWT, the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene (WSLH) will ship a home sample kit to their residence. The private well owner or user will collect a water sample and ship it back to the WSLH using a pre-paid shipping label. The DNR will work directly with WSLH to pay for the lab analysis and provide sampling results to well owners and users. Private well owners and users who are interested in sampling their well for PFAS through WisPPWT should first contact their local officials about community-based plans for PFAS sampling.

Disrupting PFAS Exposure Through Water

The DHS, the DNR or a local health department can issue well-specific drinking water advisories for private wells that have levels of PFAS above DHS' recommendations for drinking water. Residences that have received a well-specific drinking water advisory from the DHS, the DNR or a local health department may be eligible to receive temporary emergency water. Private well owners and users who receive a well-specific drinking water advisory should follow the instructions in their advisory letter about how to receive temporary emergency water.

Financial Resources For Impacted Private Well Owners

The well compensation grant program provides funding to eligible landowners or renters to replace, reconstruct or treat contaminated private water supplies or connect to an alternative water supply.

Health Information Related to Private Wells

The DHS supports the DNR in assessing human health risks associated with PFAS contamination, including providing recommendations to reduce those risks.

For health-related questions, please email DHS at DHSEnvHealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Learn more and access resources about the health effects from PFAS on the following websites: