The Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department, in collaboration with the Health Department and Planning and Zoning Department, worked with the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Center for Watershed Science and Education on a groundwater study for Jefferson County. The study involved collecting data on a variety of important well water concerns to better understand the quality of the groundwater throughout the County and use the results to educate landowners about their drinking water.

Jefferson County is hosting a presentation on the groundwater study results on Monday, April 7 at the UW-Extension building, 864 Collins Road, Jefferson. The presentation on the study results will start at 6:00 pm and will be given by Kevin Masarik, Director of the Center for Watershed Science and Education. Attendees will learn about groundwater basics, well construction, test results (including those with human health implications), groundwater quality in Jefferson County, and improving your water quality. Jefferson County staff will also be on hand to explain the next steps related to education and outreach on groundwater issues.

Doors will open at 5:30 pm so that the public can obtain educational handouts and information on well water testing. At the event, citizens can also have their private well water screened for nitrate. To take advantage of this screening, samples should be collected within 24 hours of being screened and the following procedure should be used: use a clean glass or plastic bottle/jar, take sample from the main drinking water source, run the faucet for 5-10 minutes on cold at full flow before collecting a sample, do not touch the bottle/jar to the faucet.

The final report of the groundwater study, link to an interactive online dashboard of results, and other information on the groundwater study can be obtained by visiting Jefferson County’s website (https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/) and entering “groundwater” into the search box in the upper right corner. For more information on the groundwater study, please contact Patricia Cicero, Director of the Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department, at 920-674-7121 or [email protected].