Do you know what’s in your well water?

March 9-15 is National Ground Water Awareness Week and if you are a private well owner, it is a great time to think about testing a sample of your tap water to be sure it is safe to drink. Did you know that 30 percent of Wisconsin households depend on a private well for drinking water?

The Oneida County Health Department, Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommend that you test your water annually for bacteria and nitrate. Testing for arsenic should be done at least once and yearly if arsenic was present in previous tests.

Oneida County Health Department is offering discounted water test kits for purchase March 10 through March 14 at the following prices:

• Bacteria: $22 (savings of $5).

• Nitrate: $30.

• Arsenic: $35. 

• All three tests: $72 (total savings of $10 from regular kit pricing).

Test kits can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Oneida County Health Department, 100 W. Keenan Street, Rhinelander. After collecting your water sample, kits can be dropped off at the health department from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday for analysis. Samples do not need to be returned the week of the sale. The health department does not offer PFAS analysis. 

Households with pregnant women or infants may be eligible for free testing. To learn more, contact the Oneida County WIC office at 715-369-6109.

For more information regarding water testing, water quality and PFAS, please see Oneida County Health Department link publichealth.co.oneida.wi.us/services/environmental-health/.