Resolution to Authorize a Two-Year Extension of the Sauk County Groundwater Trend Data Project

In 2019, Staff from Land Resources and Environment, Conservation, Public Health, and Extension Sauk County joined in collaboration with the UW Stevens Point Center for Watershed Science and Education to develop a citizen-based groundwater monitoring program.  This 5-year program was designed to test the same wells over a set time period in order to collect data that can be useful in understanding well water quality fluctuations over time and space. Participation and interest in the project were strong with nearly 80% of the original households participating through the entirety of the project. The project concluded in 2023 and a predictive model was developed to identify areas where nitrate contamination is likely to be found. This model may help to inform residents of the potential risk of nitrate contamination in areas of future develop and assist the county with future land use planning guidelines. However, additional years of data are helpful in making this model more accurate.  Stevens Point recommends extending the project two years to collect additional data to build a more robust model. A project proposal labeled as Exhibit A outlines the methodology, timeline, type of testing, reporting, community education, deliverables, and budget for the extension of the Sauk County Groundwater Quality Trend Data project.