This browser does not support the Video element.
Well water advisory
Well water advisory
MADISON (WITI) – The Department of Natural Resources is advising communities and well owners in southeast Wisconsin about testing their wells to detect elevated levels of molybdenum.
Molybdenum is a naturally occurring metal in the earth’s crust that, in small amounts, is an essential nutrient in our diet. It is also found in some wastes, including coal ash and foundry sand.
The DNR first learned of molybdenum at elevated levels in private wells in the Caledonia area in August 2009.
A group of 153 private wells were sampled in the area over the past two years, and 44 of the private wells have tested for levels of molybdenum above the state groundwater standard of 40 micrograms/liter (ug/L).
An extensive DNR study completed this month helped identify areas of Milwaukee, Waukesha and Racine counties that have elevated levels of molybdenum, but was unable to pinpoint the origin of the molybdenum.
Nitschke said the agency recommends that, along with routine well testing for bacteria and nitrate, residents using private wells in the following communities should sample and test their well water for molybdenum:
The DNR will also work with water system owners to sample and test schools, daycares and community water systems in the six towns.
The agency is also planning to host a series of public information meetings on molybdenum in several communities. The first will occur with the village of Caledonia, with a date and location to be announced in the near future.
A new DNR Web page on molybdenum is now available that helps explain how residents can get health information on molybdenum and how to access well testing and treatment options.
CLICK HERE for more information via the DNR's website.
Officials with Department of Health Services are in the process of finalizing a public health assessment of molybdenum in Caledonia and Oak Creek area private wells. While the full assessment won’t be available for a few months, DHS epidemiologist Elizabeth Evans concluded it is very unlikely that drinking water at the levels found in the area would result in health effects for residents.
The state health agency advises residents to avoid future molybdenum exposures by not consuming water that contains molybdenum above the Wisconsin groundwater standard. The low risk, according to DNR officials, is because of preventative safety factors built into the standards, allowing people to take action before experiencing health effects.
----
Elizabeth Truslow-Evans with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued the following statement in connection with this story:
"It is very unlikely that drinking water with molybdenum at the levels found in this area would result in health effects for residents. Even so, DHS advises residents to not consume water with molybdenum above 40 micrograms per Liter (ug/L), which is Wisconsin’s groundwater standard for the contaminant. DHS recommends that residents follow the DNR's advice to test private wells for molybdenum in the following communities as part of their regular annual sampling: the townships of Caledonia, Raymond and Norway in Racine County; the town of Muskego in Waukesha County; and Franklin and Oak Creek in Milwaukee County."
Raymond School in Franksville has posted a letter to parents on its website: CLICK HERE.
Cathy Schulze with We Energies issued the following statement:
"Although the DNR study did not reach a firm conclusion on the source of molybdenum in area wells, it did state that molybdenum is naturally occurring in the area and is found at elevated levels in multiple locations throughout the region. The study’s deeper analysis would indicate that the We Energies Oak Creek site is not the source of the molybdenum. We will continue to support DNR’s work in this area."
CLICK HERE for additional information via the DNR's website.