Contaminant |
Which wells or homes should be tested? |
How often should I test? |
Coliform Bacteria |
Every well |
Test once every year, or when there is a change in taste, color or odor |
Nitrate |
All newly-constructed wells or wells with no testing history Wells within ¼ mile of fertilized fields or animal feed lots Wells used by pregnant women and infants Wells that had levels close to 10 ppm |
Two tests spaced six months apart Test annually Test before pregnancy and at time of birth Test annually |
Pesticides |
Wells within ¼ mile of agricultural fields, or pesticide manufacturing, storage or mixing facilities |
Test once every 5-10 years |
Lead |
Homes with copper plumbing installed before 1985 or brass fixtures; and naturally soft water Wells near Door County cherry orchards |
Consider one time test Consider one time test |
Copper |
Water used to prepare infant formula or if any resident in home experiences repeated symptoms of nausea, diarrhea or abdominal cramps. Homes most at risk have new copper plumbing or naturally-soft water |
Test before and after flushing the faucet for 2 to 3 minutes Homes with new copper plumbing should be retested in 6 months |
|
VOCs (solvents, gasoline or fuel oils) |
Wells within ¼ mile of a landfill, underground fuel or gasoline tank and wells within ¼ mile of where solvents have been used (Drycleaner, automotive garage or body shop, etc.) |
Test once every 5-10 years or when solvent or gasoline taste or odor is noticed |
|
PCBs |
Water with an oily sheen or petroleum odor, and submersible pump installed before 1979 |
Test once if needed |
Arsenic, Radium |
Wells in specific areas of Wisconsin |
Consult with DNR or UW-Extension on whether to test |
Boron |
Wells within ¼ mile of fly ash landfill |
Test once every 5-10 years |
Radon |
Homes with high radon levels in the air that are not reduced by sealing basement cracks and ventilation |
Test once if needed |
Fluoride |
Wells used by infants and preschool-aged children |
Test when infant is born |