A growing number of wells in Rock County may represent a health hazard. County Environmental Health Director Rick Wietersen says nitrate levels have been increasing for years. Wietersen says Rock County has about 15,000 private wells and 25-30% have higher than advisable levels of nitrates. He says elevated levels of nitrates in drinking water can cause significant health problems. The Department of Natural Resources is currently working on ways to reduce groundwater contamination, but will ultimately need approval from the legislature. Wietersen says more needs to be done to eliminate contamination including examining the impact of agricultural run-off, fertilizers and septic systems. He suggests the best first step for private well owners is to have their water tested.
