Test Your Private Drinking Water Wells for PFAS

Dunn County Wisconsin, August 21, 2024 – The Dunn County Health Department (DCHD) is encouraging residents to test their private drinking water wells for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

What are PFAS? PFAS are commonly referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they break down very slowly and build up in the environment, animals, and the human body over time. These manufactured chemicals have been used in consumer and industrial products since the 1940’s. PFAS have been found in many places, including water, soil, food packaging, non-stick cookware, and household and personal care products.

Why test now? In late 2023, our neighboring county health department, the Eau Claire City-County Health Department was notified of a rural drinking water well that was tested and found to contain PFAS above recommended health levels. Since then, 38 nearby private wells have been tested for PFAS and 14 have contained PFAS above the recommended health level. A press release was recently published by the Eau Claire City-County Health Department informing residents of an expanded effort to research PFAS in the County.

Why are PFAS a concern? Exposure to high levels of PFAS can have a lasting impact on humans. Research indicates that exposure to high levels of PFAS can have harmful health effects.

Testing Your Private Drinking Water Wells: Have your water analyzed for PFAS by a certified laboratory.

• In Wisconsin, there are two laboratories certified for PFAS testing:

o Northern Lake Service, Inc. in Crandon, WI

o Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene in Madison, WI

• Find the WI DNR’s list of nationwide labs that have been PFAS certified: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/PFAS/Labs.html

What to do if there are PFAS in your private drinking water: You can request a temporary source of water supplied by the WI DNR. Take action to filter private drinking water with a NSF listed filter to reduce PFAS and contact a local private water supply specialist for more information. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/.../Wells/PrivateWaterSupply.html

Frequently Asked Questions About PFAS

How can I be exposed to PFAS? These substances have water, oil, and heat resistance properties, and are found in a variety of products that many people use daily. You can be exposed through contaminated drinking water; eating fish with high levels of PFAS; eating food packaged in material made with PFAS; swallowing contaminated soil or dust; or by using products that contain PFAS, like nonstick cookware, stain, water repellant sprays for fabric, ski wax, and many others. Using fewer of these products can help you to lower your exposure to PFAS.

What possible health effects can be caused by exposure to PFAS? Research indicates that high levels of some PFAS may increase the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and some cancers, and decrease infant birthweight or the body’s response to vaccines. Not all PFAS have the same effects on health. Read more at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm.

My water looks and tastes clean. Should I still get my well tested? There are many common contaminants that don’t change the taste, look, or smell of drinking water. Water with high levels of PFAS, nitrate, bacteria, and some metals may still taste, smell, or look clean. For people that rely on private wells for drinking water, the only way to know what is in their drinking water is to test.

Where can I find more information?

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services PFAS https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm

• Department of Natural Resources PFAS information and data viewer https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/PFAS/DataViewer

• Wisconsin PFAS Shallow Groundwater Study information https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Groundwater/PFASStudy.html