PFAS in Dane County

• Many bodies of water in Dane County are known to have elevated levels of PFAS, including: Lakes Monona, Waubesa, Mud, Lower Mud, Kegonsa, Wingra Creek, Starkweather Creek, and the Yahara River downstream to the Rock River. Learn more on the DNR PFAS listing for Dane County. 
• The Truax Field Air National Guard Base and Dane County Regional Airport are contaminated sites due to their longtime use of firefighting foams that had PFAS. The PFAS washed into the nearby creek and seeped through the soil into the groundwater in the area, impacting a large part of Dane County. Find out how the PFAS are being cleaned up on WI DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment Database.
• In addition, groundwater is being monitored by the DNR at the Rockgen Energy facility near Cambridge, WI. It was determined that years of testing of the fire suppression system which contained PFAS at the facility led to the groundwater contamination. The DNR is actively monitoring the groundwater plume. Find out more about PFAS monitoring on the WI DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment Database.
• We've also learned that there's an area with PFAS groundwater concentrations that exceed DHS recommendations in the Waubesa Beach area from testing private wells in the area. While it's unclear where the source of PFAS contamination is, we do know groundwater in this area flows into Lake Waubesa, which contributes to the contamination of the lake. 

If PFAS levels are high in your drinking water, you can take steps to limit your exposure. Learn more on the Department of Health Services website. 

City of Madison

Madison Water Utility began voluntarily testing for PFAS years ago and tests two times a year. You can look up the water quality at your address, including PFAS, on Madison Water Utility's website. If you want to learn more about what Madison Water Utility is doing about PFAS, visit their PFAS webpage.

Other Dane County Municipalities

Don't live in Madison? Other communities in Dane County have tested their water through the DNR. Visit the DNR website and click “PFAS Sampling Info" under “Layer Controls." Click on the circle next to the name of the municipality to find out the results. Contact your municipality if you want more information.

Water from Private Wells

If you're in an area near PFAS contamination, it's recommended that you test your well for PFAS. 

In Dane County, the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene can test for PFAS. You can also get your water tested from any WI DNR certified labs. If you get your well tested, you can use this tool from the Department of Health Services to compare your test results to State standards. 

Check all fish advisories on the DNR website

PFAS

Parts of the Yahara Chain of lakes, including Wingra Creek, Lake Monona, Starkweather Creek, Lake Waubesa, Upper and Lower Mud Lake, Lake Kegonsa, and the Yahara River downstream to the Rock River.

PCBs