Purpose: To improve the health of all Ozaukee County residents.

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The Health Department will offer low cost Total Coliform Bacteria and Arsenic test kits for homeowners with well water

The Health Department will be offering low cost (20$ each) well kits for bacteria and arsenic analysis of well water starting August 8th.  Analytical services will be completed by Water Diagnostics in Mequon. 

Homeowners may purchase the kits at the Health Department during normal work hours.   Then, homeowners sample their well water and return the kit with completed sampling form to the Health Department.  Water Diagnostics completes the analysis and will send homeowners their laboratory results.

In recent years homeowners in the Ozaukee County have become aware of arsenic in well water.  Health Department staff has addressed hundreds of inquiries regarding arsenic testing and results interpretation.   Arsenic consumption at levels above the federal standard can cause urinary tract cancers, hair loss, tremors, numbness, and skin abnormalities.  

Safe, contaminant-free water is one of the most vital resources Wisconsin citizens have for drinking and cooking. Municipalities regularly test the drinking water supplies to ensure they are safe.  But with private wells, it's the owner's responsibility. Wisconsin has approximately one million private wells, most of which are NOT tested for bacteria or arsenic on a periodic basis. 

"Testing well water is one of the easiest things private well owners can do to take care of the health and well-being of themselves and their loved ones," said Dan Ziegler, Environmental Health Specialist with the Ozaukee County Public Health Department. "We are urging residents to come down to the Health Department and pick up a low cost well test kit of their choice.”

Well Water Test Form