Contaminant Information

Where Do Contaminants Come From?
Drinking water can become contaminated from a great variety of sources. Contaminants may be biological (such as dangerous E. Coli bacteria) or chemical in nature (such as arsenic).  

  • Human contamination is the most common and can be caused by activities such as fertilizer application, mining, and rearing livestock. 

  • Some substances that occur naturally in the soil (like heavy metals) can be harmful to human health. 

  • Flooding can increase contaminant levels in wells because it washes contaminants from the surface to the groundwater below. 

  • Incomplete seals around drinking water sources can allow bugs, rodents, or other animals to enter the system and contaminate it with bacteria.

 
Importantly, many of these contamination sources are outside the well owner’s control and leave no physical sign that they are present in the water. Also, boiling water doesn’t remove or negate many of these contaminants. This is why it’s important to test well water even if it appears to have no issues whatsoever. 
The Center for Disease Control’s website has some great information about drinking water in general as well as well-water testing specifically. 

 

What Kinds of Contaminants are Out There?

There are many contaminants that could pose a threat to drinking water, but a few that are common to Rusk County include: 
 
 Total Coliform Bacteria are bacteria that are tested for in order to assess water quality. 

  • They are not typically dangerous to most individuals, but their presence indicates that many much more harmful forms of bacteria are able to grow in the water. 

  • Known as “indicator organisms”

  • Tests are performed for coliform bacteria instead of specific types of harmful bacteria because this saves money and tests for many potentially harmful  pathogens at once. 

 
Nitrates are substances formed when nitrogen combines with oxygen or ozone. Some basic information about nitrates:
 
Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical in soil and bedrock formations. Arsenic: 

  • Has been detected in every county in the state of Wisconsin 

  • Has serious adverse health effects:

    • Skin/Internal cancers (bladder, prostate, lung, etc.)

    • Tremors

    • Stomach pain/nausea

    • Diarrhea 

    • Diabetes

    • Depression

  • Can be released from bedrock formations and make its way into drinking water

  • Is undetectable without testing; arsenic is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. 

 For more information on arsenic, click this Department of Natural Resources link. 
 
 

When to Have Your Water Tested:

You should have your water source tested any time you are concerned about the quality of the water coming from your water source as well as periodically in case some unseen contaminant has made its way into your water source. The CDC recommends testing your well water at least annually. In addition to normal testing, it’s probably a good idea to consider testing your water source for contaminants if:
  • There are known contamination issues in your area
  • Recent events may have impacted your water quality, such as flooding or landslides
  • Work has been performed on your well
  • There is a noticeable change in the water from your well water’s taste, color, or odor.