Drinking Water and Groundwater

Working to safeguard Wisconsin drinking water and groundwater now and in the future.

Safe, clean drinking water is what we expect when we turn on our faucets. The Wisconsin Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater manages activities that affect the safety, quality and availability of drinking water by preventing contamination of drinking water and groundwater to protect public health.

Assure the Safety of Your Drinking Water After a Flood

Private well owners should suspect their drinking water is contaminated by floodwaters if the well casing becomes inundated; if there's a change in taste, color or sediment in your water; or if your well does not have a deep casing and you are near areas that have been flooded. Wells located in pits and basements are especially susceptible to contamination. If you suspect your well has been contaminated by flooding, read more...

Wisconsin's Objectives for Water Use Efficiency and Conservation
in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Basin

Wisconsin will be the first state to pilot its own adaptation of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Objectives. The Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Public Service Commission and the Department of Commerce will formulate the state's water conservation and efficiency objectives for the Wisconsin portion of the Great Lakes basin. Read more...

Properly Fill and Seal Unused Wells

The water that private well owners drink will be safer and groundwater will be better protected under new provisions effective this month for privately owned wells. Starting June 1, only licensed well drillers or pump installers or their employees may fill and seal unused wells. A second provision effective June 1 requires that if a drinking water well inspection is performed for a real estate transfer, it must be done by a licensed well driller or pump installer. These new requirements will help protect the health of private well owners’ families and their neighbors and keep Wisconsin’s groundwater clean. Learn more about unused wells and real estate transfers.

Web-based Data Entry Form

The electronic reporting of public drinking water results for entering Safe Drinking Water Act samples is now available! Read more about Electronic Reporting.

Groundwater Advisory Committee

The Groundwater Advisory Committee was created by 2003 WI Act 310 to make recommendations to the State Legislature regarding future groundwater management needs in Wisconsin.

Members of the Groundwater Advisory Committee are appointed by the leaders of both houses of the legislature and the governor, and represent municipal, agricultural, environmental, and industrial interests. The well drilling industry and the WDNR are also represented. In addition, two work groups have been established to provide scientific and technical expertise to the Commmittee on groundwater science, modeling, regional planning, and water management topics. For meeting agendas, notes, handouts and reports, see Groundwater Advisory Committee.

Safe Drinking Water Hotline

hotline-sdwa@epamail.epa.gov
1-800-426-4791