Pierce County initiating Community Well Water 5-year Study

ELLSWORTH - Pierce County is kicking off the first year of a county-wide effort to measure groundwater quality changes. In partnership with the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Water and Environmental Analysis Lab, 350 wells will be selected throughout the county for annual testing. Unlike past sampling, this study will involve the same wells year after year to observe changes over time.

Eligible households will receive a letter inviting them to participate. Wells are selected based on known geology documented when they were drilled and a general location. Agreeing to participate starts with mailing back the postcard enclosed in the letter. Then later this fall the university will mail a bottle to take a water sample with a pre-paid mailer to return the sample for testing. This process will continue annually in the fall through 2029...