SHAWANO, WI – Health officials say new grant funding is helping expand private well water testing across Shawano County, with early results showing elevated arsenic levels in parts of the county. Nick Mau, director of the Shawano–Menominee Counties Health Department, said testing has focused heavily on the eastern portion of the county after samples from a small number of private homes showed higher arsenic concentrations.
Mau explained that understanding what’s in private well water is critical because many rural homeowners rely on wells rather than municipal systems. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can enter groundwater through soil and rock, and long-term exposure at elevated levels can pose health risks.
Looking ahead, Mau hopes to grow the effort by bringing in additional state support, including involvement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He said the department would like DNR staff to participate in an upcoming educational event to help residents better understand how substances like arsenic get into well water and what testing results mean.
Details about the educational event and information on how residents can take part in private well water testing are available on the Shawano–Menominee Counties Health Department website.
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