From Kriss Marion

Blanchardville

To the editor:

There has been quite a bit of misreporting, misinformation and misconception about what is going on with water contamination in SW Wisconsin. 

The short story is this: we do have a problem, an alarming amount of contaminated private wells from which no one (especially women of childbearing age) should drink. Depending on the time of year, 27% to 42% of the private wells tested in Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Counties in 2018-19 have either bacteria or nitrate counts higher than is recommended as safe. 

These levels may have been the same for decades, or they may be getting higher — we don’t know because only Iowa County has done a statistically relevant number of tests in the past. In either case, we have a public health problem now. 

Scientists collaborating from several state and federal agencies are currently researching the sources, reasons and possible solutions. Come and learn about what is currently happening with the important Southwestern Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology (SWIGG) study that inspired the Speaker’s Water Quality Task Force. There will be a SWIGG Town Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Town Bank Community Room in Darlington.