UWEC CERCA 2025

This project aims to assess groundwater quality in rural Eau Claire County by collecting and testing water samples from 244 private wells between June 2023 and December 2024. Samples were analyzed for contaminants such as nitrate, coliform, E. coli, hardness, and metals like arsenic, lead, copper, and manganese at the Eau Claire Public Health Laboratory. This data complements existing information in the Eau Claire City-County Health Department database. Well construction logs were also reviewed to understand well depth and geology, helping identify spatial patterns related to contamination. The project responds to the 2018 Eau Claire County Groundwater Advisory Committee’s recommendations in the “State of the Groundwater Report,” which called for systematic well testing, identifying high-risk areas, and reviewing groundwater protection regulations. With around 9,000 private wells serving 25% of the population, most are infrequently tested due to financial barriers and lack of accessible educational materials. This initiative, funded through an American Rescue Plan Act grant, aims to address these challenges and support environmental public health in rural communities.