Gundersen St. Joseph’s, Vernon County collaborate on well water testing

Gundersen St. Joseph's Hospital and Clinics and the Vernon County Health Department are working together to make sure residents have safe water.

Residents can pick up bottles to collect samples at the main desk at Gundersen St. Joseph's Hospital Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Samples must be tested within 30 hours of collection and are accepted at the hospital only on Wednesdays before 3 p.m. The samples will be delivered to the health department's lab for testing.

Residents can also deliver their samples to Vernon County Health Department Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Testing types and fees include:

• Bacteria ($20 and includes tests for E. Coli and other coliform bacteria)
• Nitrates ($20)
• Arsenic ($29)
• Lead ($37)

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Well Water Quality data showed up to 25% of wells tested in Vernon County are contaminated by bacteria.  If you have a private well, health officials recommend testing it annually for bacteria.

For more information on well water testing, contact Vernon County Health Department at (608) 637-5251 or email [email protected].