• Test your water each year for bacteria and nitrate if you rely on water from a private well.
  
  
• Test your water at least once for arsenic and manganese, and more frequently if it is found at elevated levels in your well water.
  
  
• Test your well immediately if you ever notice a change in taste, color, or smell. (For more information, visit Identify your water’s symptoms from the Wisconsin DNR)

Bacteria and Nitrate 

Bacteria and nitrate are two of the most common contaminants in Eau Claire County private wells and should be tested every year. Both bacteria and nitrate have naturally occurring sources and can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted. However, high levels of bacteria and nitrate tell us that your well is not properly protected and your well water may impact you or your family’s health. 

Arsenic and Manganese

Arsenic and manganese occur naturally in groundwater and can impact your health. If your well has not been tested for these contaminants in the past, it is recommended to test for them once and repeat testing if elevated levels are found. 

Lead and Copper

Lead and copper can leach into drinking water from plumbing and fixtures. If you think you may have lead and/or copper plumbing in your home, or if you are unsure, testing is recommended.

Water Testing Bundles

NEW—Homeowners water testing bundle! We now offer a package that includes bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, and copper.

We also offer a Homeowners Plus bundle that includes a more complete picture of your well water quality. This package includes: bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, copper, manganese, iron, hardness, zinc, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, and nickel.

Still have questions?

You can call us at 715-839-4718 to ask about the tests most appropriate for your well based on the water characteristics or concerns you have. 

• Pick up a sample bottle at the Health Department main office (ground level of Eau Claire County Government Center - 720 2nd Avenue, Eau Claire).
  • Our staff can help you decide which tests are most appropriate for your water concerns.
    
    
• Follow instructions to fill up sample bottle(s). 
  • Bacteria and Non-Metals (Nitrate, Fluoride & pH) Instructions
  • Homeowners, Homeowners PLUS or Newborn Bundles Instructions
  • Metals or Metal Bundle Instructions
    
    
• Drop off filled sample bottles at the Health Department main office, Monday-Thursday (no Fridays), 8am-4pm.
  
  
• Our lab team will mail or email your results.
  • Water test results are for your knowledge. You can decide if you want to treat your water or not.

Our lab team can recommend optional further testing or treatment options.  The Health Department will not make you stop using the well if test results show contamination. 

• If bacteria are present in your well, the well can be disinfected. This often resolves the problem (sometimes this process needs to be completed more than once to successfully disinfect the well). A licensed pump installer can also do this process for you. View more information on well disinfection: Bacteriological Contamination of Drinking Water (Wisconsin DNR).
  
  
• If your well test results show that your water exceeds a health advisory level for nitrate and/or metals, we recommend that you do not drink the water. There are many affordable options to treat your water. A local plumber or water treatment specialist can help you determine the best treatment for your well. 
  
  
• At times, the most effective treatment option may be the reconstruction or replacement of a well. Qualifying homeowners may be eligible through the DNR to receive funding to replace, reconstruct, or treat a contaminated private well. Find out about the program and how to apply: Well Compensation Grant Program (Wisconsin DNR).

Unused, contaminated, or improperly constructed wells risk the safety and quality of groundwater. These wells must be properly filled and sealed by a licensed professional. Eau Claire County offers a cost-sharing program to reimburse eligible owners 50% of the well abandonment cost, before construction begins. 

Visit the Well Compensation Grant Program webpage or call Eau Claire County Land Conservation Division (715-839-6226) for more information.

Helpful links:

• Well Filling and Sealing (Wisconsin DNR)
• Contact a licensed well abandonment contractor (Wisconsin DNR publication)

To protect your water quality:

• Maintain a secure well cover (cap). Check it occasionally to make sure it is in good shape. 
• Keep chemicals (such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil) and runoff away from your well.
• Use a licensed or certified water well contractor and pump installer for constructing and installing your well.
• Licensed and certified professionals can also provide routine care for your well. This ensures the quality of your water and useful life of your well. 
• Don't pile snow, leaves or other materials around your well. Be cautious when working or mowing around your well, so you don't damage the casing.
• Keep records about when you've tested or done maintenance to your well. 

• All drinking water in Eau Claire County comes from groundwater. It has been an important natural resource tens of thousands of years in the making.
  
  
• Generally, our groundwater is of a very high quality. However, activities on the surface can easily contaminate groundwater, which is very difficult to restore once it has been contaminated.
  
  
• There are approximately 9,000 private wells in Eau Claire County. In addition, all county municipalities rely on groundwater.

• There are some naturally occurring elements of our soils and rocks that can contaminate groundwater, such as arsenic and iron.
  
  
• Human activities, such as spreading fertilizer on lawns, fields, and golf courses can lead to contaminated groundwater as rain infiltrates through the soil to the water table, bringing those chemicals from the surface to the groundwater below. 
  
  
• Individual household septic systems can also contribute to groundwater pollution, even if they are functioning well. Septic systems cannot break down all the products that we flush or wash away, such as medications and other substances. 
  
  
• Another potential source of groundwater contamination is above and below ground chemical storage tanks which may crack or leak over time.

Wells can serve as a direct pathway for contaminants from the surface to groundwater. Flood waters that surround a well and anything that is poured into a well can contaminate our groundwater. For this reason, unused wells should be filled and sealed as soon as possible by a licensed well driller or pump installer.