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Center For Watershed Science and Education

A student conducts baseflow monitoring in a small stream, holding a flow meter.
Lab staff sets up bacteria samples for analysis. Samples are in rows on a lab bench.
A person sits on a bench enjoying the view of Lake Joanis.

Empowering Communities and Individuals to Manage Their Water Resources

The Center for Watershed​ Science and Education ​​is a joint venture of the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension.

The Center works across the state of Wisconsin and beyond:

  • Supporting watershed stewardship
  • Assisting citizens with lake, river, and drinking water quality problems
  • Promoting strategies for water resource protection
  • Providing water quality assessments and support
  • Preparing students for careers as water resource professionals

 

Areas of Focus

A lab analyst uses a pipette to transfer a water sample in the laboratory.

Water and Environmental Analysis Lab

Certified water testing for private wells, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and more. The Water and Environmental Analysis Lab has been providing high quality water analytical services to Wisconsin residents and communities since 1972.
Learn more about our analytical services
Screen capture of the Wisconsin Well Water Viewer, by county, for Nitrate-Nitrogen

Research and Data

Learn about historical and ongoing research, interactive data portals, and other products available through the Center.
WI Well Water Viewer Reports and Publications
A Groundwater Education Specialist demonstrates groundwater flow to a group of people using a sand-tank groundwater model.

Public Outreach & Education

Assisting individuals and communities in understanding and management of their water resources
Water WELLness: Well testing and education Well Water Trend Monitoring Groundwater Model Teacher Workshops
A student takes water level measurements of a piezometer.

Student Experiences

Opportunities exist for graduate and undergraduate students to work side-by-side with faculty and staff conducting scientific research and performing laboratory analysis.
Learn about our student opportunities

News and Events

Lab staff sets up bacteria samples for analysis. Samples are in rows on a lab bench.
Wednesday, April 29 @ 6:00 PM

Shawano County Water WELLness

Bonduel High School Commons, 400 W Green Bay St, Bonduel, WI 54107

Learn about Shawano County well water quality at this free educational opportunity, open to the public.

The program will last about an hour and cover the following topics:

  • Groundwater Basics: where does your well water come from
  • Well construction and how it influences water quality
  • Understanding your individual test results
  • General groundwater quality in Shawano County
  • Ways to improve your well water quality

 

Lab worker pours a water sample into a sterile bacteria bottle
Tuesday, May 12 @ 6:00 PM

Green County Water WeLLness

Albany Lions Club, 402 N Cincinnati St, Albany, WI 53502

Learn about Green County well water quality at this free educational opportunity, open to the public.

The program will last about an hour and cover the following topics:

  • Groundwater Basics: where does your well water come from
  • Well construction and how it influences water quality
  • Understanding your individual test results
  • General groundwater quality in Green County
  • Ways to improve your well water quality

 

A laboratory analyst with a white lab coat and safety glasses monitors an analytical instrument.
2026

Updated metals package!

Three new elements added to “Standard Metals Package”

The Water and Environmental Analysis Lab’s “Standard Metals Package” has been updated to include three new elements, bringing the total included elements to 14!

Now included in the package are:

  • Aluminum: Naturally occurring in Wisconsin groundwater, though concentrations vary depending on geology. There is a Wisconsin public health related groundwater standard for aluminum of 0.2oo mg/L.
  • Strontium: Naturally occurring mineral present in Wisconsin groundwater. Strontium concentrations in groundwater vary across Wisconsin based on geology. It is recommended to avoid drinking water with concentrations of strontium equal to or greater than 1.50 mg/L.
  • Uranium Screen: Uranium is a naturally occurring element present in groundwater, typically at low levels, due to geologic deposits. The safe drinking water standard for uranium in drinking water is 0.030 mg/L.

To view the full list of elements included in the Standard Metals Package, click here.

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