An 800' DEEP HIGH-CAPACITY WELL CONSTRUCTED IN WATERMAN WAY PARK WILL HAVE MASSIVE NEGATIVE IMPACTS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
* Actual photo of a crew drilling a high-capacity well
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Cost is 3.2 million
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No proven need for a new high-capacity well
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Water consumption in Monona is down
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Save our green space
Our Cause
Working Towards a Safer Future
Protecting Monona’s Water, Community, and Property Values
Safe Water Monona is dedicated to safeguarding the quality of Monona’s drinking water for current and future generations.
The City is planning to construct a high-capacit 800ft deep Well #4 in Waterman Way Park, with construction scheduled to begin on March 1, 2026. This well raises serious concerns:
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Potential risk to our water quality, especially moving it closer to a known contamination plume
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Increased water utility bills—with no referendum or public vote
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Loss of green space in a beloved public park
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Reduced home values—because who wants to buy a house in a city with questionable water safety?
There are safer, smarter alternatives—including not drilling a new well at all.
We must act now to protect our water, our community spaces, and the long-term value of our homes.
Join us in our mission to ensure safe drinking water.
We are deeply concerned about the safety of our water and the long-term financial impact on residents. We are calling for transparency and accountability from our local government. Decisions that affect public health, land use, and taxpayer dollars should be made with open dialogue and community input—not behind closed doors.
We’re here to make our voices heard.
We are dedicated to educating the community about the potential contamination risks associated with the proposed high capacity Well #4, the reasons why the City is proposing a new well, the costs to the public and the loss of green space and parkland. Our group advocates for the long-term protection and safety of Monona's drinking water.
Join us in our efforts to safeguard our water sources.
Risks of Contamination
PCE (short for perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene) is a chemical commonly used in dry cleaning, metal degreasing, and industrial cleaning. It is known to migrate downward through soil and bedrock, making it particularly dangerous for groundwater contamination.
The Risk Near Well #4
A PCE contamination plume has been identified near the proposed site for Well #4. However, the existing monitoring wells are too shallow to show how far the contamination has traveled underground—particularly in the deeper bedrock aquifer, where the proposed well would draw water.
Significantly, PCE levels above the safe drinking water standard have been identified approximately 1,300 feet from the proposed well site, at depths of nearly 200 feet.
There are no deep monitoring wells near the proposed location, which means we do not know how close the plume has migrated.
We do know the plume is moving toward Lake Monona, and closer to Waterman Way Park, where Well #4 is planned. Link to DNR map of waterflow from the plume.
Contamination Already Detected at Well #9
Just one mile from Waterman Way Park, Madison’s Well #9—located about half a mile from the same contamination plume—has already detected:
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PCE
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Manganese
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Iron
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Radium
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Several PFAS compounds (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
While the levels are currently just under regulatory limits, they still pose a serious risk to drinking water safety and serve as a clear warning of what’s possible.
Why This Matters
It does not make sense to move a municipal well closer to a known and migrating contamination plume, especially when:
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The contamination is already found in nearby wells
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There is no adequate deep monitoring near the proposed well site
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Water drawn from the bedrock aquifer could become unsafe over time
Financial Ramifications
The City is planning a new Civic Campus/Public Safety Building at the current site of Well #1. Three design proposals were presented by Bray and Associates: Link to see proposals
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One design preserved Well #1 and was the least expensive option.
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The other two options proposed removing the well entirely.
The City has chosen a design that removes Well #1 even though the preferred option was the option that preserved well #1 in it's current place. This plan comes with a $44+ million price tag—not including the additional cost of 3.2 million for building the new well and abondoning well #1. The 3.2 million will be added on to our water utility bill and will not need a referendum for the city to proceed.
Preserving Green Spaces
Monona is landlocked. Once all of our greenspace is gone, it is gone for good. With the numerous massive apartment buildings being built in the city, our parks will become more important than ever.
Take Action
Contact City Officials
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Call City Hall 608-222-2525 or use link on MyMonona to email the City Council
Nancy Moore, Mayor (email) nmoore@ci.monona.wi.us
Alderpersons
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Richard Bernstein
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Patrick DePula
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Brian Holmquist
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Rachel Kugle
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Teresa Radermacher
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Doug Wood, Council President
Help Raise Awareness
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Talk to your friends and neighbors.
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Volunteer to hand out flyers in your neighborhood.
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Put up yard signs.
Attend Meetings
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We will be posting upcoming meetings here.