The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is extending the deadline for Town of Peshtigo well owners in the Expanded Site Investigation Area to submit documents to have their wells sampled. The DNR is testing private drinking water wells as part of its investigation into groundwater contaminated with PFAS.

There is no cost to residents to have their well sampled.

The new deadline for well owners to return documents for participation in the DNR’s private drinking water well sampling program is May 7. Well owners in the study area were previously asked to return a Potable Well Survey and an Access Permission Agreement by April 2.

In the fall of 2020, the DNR and its contractor, Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions sent 576 well sampling information packets to landowners in Peshtigo.

On March 5, the DNR and Wood sent updated well sampling packets to landowners who had not yet responded. So far, the DNR has tested more than 300 drinking water wells for PFAS. Well owners expecting a packet but who did not receive one should email the DNR at DNRJCIPFAS@wisconsin.gov or call 1-888-626-3244.

All well owners can expect to receive results via U.S. Postal Service within 30 days of sampling. If the sample results from a well exceed the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ (DHS) Cycle 10 and Cycle 11 recommended groundwater standards, the DNR will contact the well owner via telephone within 24 hours of receipt of laboratory data.

Well owners who decide not to participate in the sampling effort are also asked to return the Potable Well Survey with a postmark date no later than May 7, 2021 to let the DNR know they do not want to have their well sampled.

For more information on PFAS contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo area, visit the DNR’s Marinette and Peshtigo PFAS webpage.