A 'complete and utter shock': Wells in an Oneida County town have 'forever chemicals' 160 times over state standards

By Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Laura Schulte | December 16, 2022

Read the full article by Laura Schulte (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

"Private wells in a northern Wisconsin town near Rhinelander have tested positive for "forever chemicals" at levels so high the water in them can no longer be safely consumed by residents.

The Department of Natural Resources found PFAS in wells in the Oneida County town of Stella during randomized testing conducted statewide. Further testing revealed many wells contained the chemicals, though the full scope of the contamination is not yet known.

So far, about 30 private wells have been tested, according to the DNR. Several wells have tested positive for PFAS at levels 160 times higher than the state's standards for drinking water at 70 parts per trillion. No regulations currently exist for PFAS in groundwater in Wisconsin."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• Environment
• Wildlife
• ImpactDrinking water
• ImpactDrinking waterPrivate wells
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses