1. Public Health
  2. Environmental Health
  3. Household Water, Well & Septic

Household Water, Well & Septic

As COVID-19 continues to impact us locally, we will be closing all Public Health Madison & Dane County offices to the public effective Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Although this decision was not arrived at easily, it is a decision that we needed to make. We are prioritizing preserving the health and safety of our staff and clients while continuing to maintain our ability to provide essential services, including our response to COVID-19.

We will continue providing services through alternate avenues, detailed below, but at this time we are reducing our direct contact with the public.

The Lab will be reducing testing services. Specifically:

Private Water and Lead Paint Testing resumes August 10th with new measures put in place. Please call (608) 243-0357 or e-mail lab@publichealthmdc.com for general water testing questions.

  • Water testing kits available by curbside pickup at the City-County Building or USPS delivery (add $5 shipping and handling fee).
  • Water samples must be returned via curbside drop off at the City-County Building.
  • To arrange pickup of water testing kits or drop off water and paint samples, please call (608) 381-8953.

Other laboratory services will continue as detailed below.

  • Project water samples (Zoo, Pools, Water Utility) will continue to be analyzed.
  • We will have lab staff available if emergency water testing is needed.
  • The lab will continue respond to illicit discharge via the online complaint system.

 

The Well and Septic program will continue regular services. Specifically:

  • Services will continued in the field while maintaining social distancing.
  • Permits will only be received via mail or online.
  • Response to program related questions will be handled via phone and e-mail.

We have received questions from both property owners and professionals about our routine septic maintenance program during this current public health emergency. Septic maintenance is possibly even more essential now with people spending more time in their homes. This maintenance can be completed without any personal contact with the service provider.
 

Clean drinking water is essential to health. We regulate sanitary and well location permits, monitor drinking water quality, and provide water testing services to protect our ground and surface waters, and reduce the spread of disease.

Reeds blowing in the wind

Drinking Water Testing

Information on how to get your water tested for bacteria, metals, and other chemicals through our Environmental Health Laboratory.

Private Septic Systems

Sanitary permit, inspection, and maintenance information for private septic systems.

Private Wells

Well location permit information and well water testing testing recommendations for private wells.

Water Quality

Data on the current water quality in Madison and Dane County, including sources of our most common pollutants and ways to improve water quality.