County to hold presentations on well water study

By Brandi Makuski

Officials from Portage Co. have scheduled a series of public meetings to discuss the results of a 2017 well water study.

The county sampled 214 drinking water wells to evaluate water quality throughout the county. The study was completed in partnership with the UWSP Center for Watershed Science and Education.

“The purpose of this project was to generate baseline data on the current status of groundwater quality throughout Portage County,” said Portage County Executive Patty Dreier, who added it was the first such study ever conducted.

The baseline data will help county leaders plan for the future, and will soon be available to the public, Dreier said.

The meetings are as follows:

• Wed., February 28 – Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) from 6:30-8 PM in the Community Room, 10401 Lystul Rd., Rosholt.
• Mon., March 5 – Lettie Jensen Community Center from 6:30-8 PM in the Community Room, 487 North Main St., Amherst.
• Wed., March 7 – Town of Eau Pleine from 6:30-8 PM at the Town Hall, 3191 State Hwy 34, Junction City.
• Mon., March 12 – Town of Pine Gove from 6:30-8 PM at the Town Hall, 5444 County Road W, Bancroft.

Free nitrate water testing will be available at each meeting for those who bring a pint of cold water in a clean container. Test results will be shared privately following each meeting, along with recommendations for follow-up tests, if applicable.

The report will also be discussed at the Feb. 20 county board meeting, held at 5 PM in the County-City Building, 1516 Church St. in Stevens Point.

More about the Portage County Well Water Quality Project can be found at
http://www.co.portage.wi.us/department/planning-zoning/portage-county-well-water-qualityproject, or by contacting the Portage County Executive’s Office at [email protected], or (715) 346-1997.

A copy of the full report will be available at www.co.portage.wi.us on Feb. 20.