MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the launch of Be Well Informed, an online tool that can help private well owners interpret their drinking water lab test results.
The DNR partnered with the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Wisconsin Department of Health Services and UW-Madison Division of Extension to design the Wisconsin version of Be Well Informed. The tool is tailored to Wisconsin’s drinking water environment and includes current water guidelines and standards. Resources are also available to help private well owners make informed decisions about the results.
“I’m pleased that Wisconsin is able to provide this valuable tool to help private well owners make sense of their drinking water test results,” said Marty Nessman, DNR Private Water Supply section manager. “Understanding the well water lab report is an important step toward correcting any water quality issues that may exist.”
A well owner can simply enter the test results provided by a certified laboratory, and the tool generates a report that explains the results and provides educational resources for any recommended next steps.
Wisconsin has over 800,000 private wells that serve about one-quarter of the state’s population. While most private water wells in Wisconsin provide safe drinking water, some may become contaminated with bacteria and other contaminants that can affect health.
Testing your well is the best way to make sure your water is safe. The DNR recommends that private well owners test their water at least annually and whenever there is a change in the taste, odor or color of the water.
More information is available for well owners on the DNR’s Private Well Owners webpage.
