The City of Monona is planning construction of a new high capacity well in Waterman Way Park. This is an unnecessary project that will negatively impact residents of Monona for generations to come.
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Close to a known PCE contamination plume
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Cost is over $3,000,000
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No need for a new high-capacity well
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Destroys valuable park space
Our Goals
Safe Water Monona is a group of concerned Monona residents dedicated to safeguarding the quality of Monona’s drinking water for current and future generations. There are safer, cheaper, and smarter alternatives—including not drilling a new well at all.
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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. We’re here to make our voices heard.
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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.
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Join us in our efforts to safeguard our water sources.
Health Risks
​​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.
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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.
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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.
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There are no deep monitoring wells near the proposed location, which means we do not know how close the plume has migrated.
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We do know the plume is moving toward Lake Monona, and closer to Waterman Park, where Well #4 is planned. Link to DNR map of waterflow from the plume.
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Just one mile from Waterman 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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PFAS compounds (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
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1,1-dichloroethane
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Trichlorofluoromethane
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Four disinfection by-products (DBP)
While the levels are currently under regulatory limits, they still pose a risk to drinking water safety and serve as a clear warning of what’s possible.
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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 Concerns
​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: Click here to see presentation of proposals to the council
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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, and building a new well on a different site.
The City has chosen a design that removes Well #1 even though the preferred option was the option that preserved well #1 in its current place. This plan comes with a $44+ million price tag—not including the additional cost of over 3 million for building the new well and abandoning well #1. The 3+ million will be added to our water utility bill and will not need a referendum for the city to proceed.
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Park Land Concerns
Monona is landlocked. Once all of our green space 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. The proposed plan for Well #4 will severely reduce the usable size of the park.
Waterman Park is named after Monona’s founding father and first village president. Long before Monona was incorporated, the natural springs in the park were an important place for the Ho-Chunk people. These same springs became a destination for travelers staying at the nearby Tonyawatha Springs Hotel, who would stroll down from the hotel to a picturesque pagoda to drink from the mineral-rich waters.
The new well is unnecessary, and even if it were, better options exist for its placement.
Photo of a high-capacity well drilling
Take Action
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 Upcoming Meetings​​​
​The City Council meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month in the Municipal Room of the Monona Public Library (lower level).
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Contact City Officials
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Call City Hall 608-222-2525 or use link on MyMonona to email the City Council
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Send a message to Nancy Moore, Mayor (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