top of page

Contamination Risks

The proposed design of Well 4 means the water quality may not be similar to Wells 1,2 or 3 due to differences in cased and total depths. Well construction affects the quality of pumped water because shallower groundwater tends to be recharged by relatively "young" groundwater that recently infiltrated to the water table. In contrast, deep groundwater under confining layers tends to be "old" groundwater that infiltrated over much longer time scales. The chemistry of older/deeper groundwater reflects rock-water interactions and is typically different water chemistry than that of shallow groundwater. Construction of a test well is warranted to determine water quality at the location and depth proposed for well 4 in the confined Mt Simon sandstone.

​

PCE (perchorethylene also known as tetrachloroethylene) migrates vertically downward. A downward vertical PCE contamination has been identified with the PCE plume in proximity to proposed well #4. The current monitoring wells for this plume are inadequate and have not defined the extent of the PCE contamination in proximity to the proposed well. The current monitoring wells nearest the proposed well are to shallow to define where the edge of the plume is and how deep it has migrated. PCE contamination has been identified approximately 1300 ft away from the proposed well #4 at depths nearly 200 ft below the surface in the bedrock aquifer.  There are no monitoring wells to determine the extent of this plume at depth near the proposed well location. This plume has been migrating towards the lake close to Waterman Way Park. Link to DNR map of waterflow from the plume. Madison's well #9 is located just one mile from Waterman Park and 1/2 mile from the known contamination plume. Well #9 has known contaminates PCE, Trace amounts of 1,1-dichloroethane, trichloroflouoromethane, and four distinfection by-products (DBP) were also detected at Well 9. Also small amounts of 1,4-dioxane was found. Per and poly-fluoroalkyl compound (PFAS) were found too. The contamination levels at Well 9 are currently under the actionable limit but should absolutely be considered as a significant risk to the safety of our drinking water. 

​

​

​

Unnecessary Expense

​Building a new municipal well in Waterman Way Park is an unnecessary and expensive project that could have long-term negative impacts on our community.

​

The estimated cost to construct Well #4 is $2.88 million. In addition, the City has budgeted:

  • $60,000 in the first year

  • $400,000 in the second year
    to decommission and abandon Well #1, bringing the Total Estimated Cost to $3.5 million.

This cost is not part of the new Civic Campus budget—it will be paid through increases to our water utility bills, meaning residents will bear the financial burden without a referendum or public vote.

At SafeWaterMonona, we advocate for the responsible use of public funds and natural resources. Before spending millions and giving up green space, we believe the City should fully explore safer, more cost-effective alternatives.

​

Reference Materials

bottom of page