MHLT continues to monitor for PFAS

The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district sent a drinking water advisory to parents of MHLT students in early December regarding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances.

District superintendent Dr. Jim Ellis told The Lakeland Times on Dec. 22 starting in the summer of 2023 public entities like MHLT that are not on a public water system are required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to test their wells for PFAS. 

“Our first test in September came back fine and we had one test in November ... point two trillion is the cut-off for when you have to let the public know. We were at .24 so we put a note out to our parents and we posted it and everything else that we had a high level but we just got word this week that our second well came back fine so we’re no longer under a notice.”

Ellis said many people thought MHLT was on a public water and sewer line. 

“That line stops at The Waters,” he said. “We have two wells and we’ve made the second well our primary source for water. We got some great news that second well was below the threshold and is fine.”

Even so, Ellis said PFAS monitoring at MHLT will continue. 

“We’ve ordered filters to put in all our drinking fountains, too, and hope to have those before the kids come back to school from Christmas break,” he said. “We’ll continue to work with the DNR on this.”

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].