Links to Managing Governmental Agencies

Water and Environmental Analysis Laboratory (WEAL)
(formerly known as the Environmental Task Force Lab (ETF)
http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/etf
email: dsisk@uwsp.edu

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
College of Natural Resources, Room 200
Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-346-3209, toll free 877-ETF-TEST

WEAL performs studies on groundwater, lakes, streams, and watersheds as well as operates a state certified water-testing laboratory. Water samples may be tested for organic and inorganic chemicals such as nitrate, pesticides, heavy metals, and more.

Portage County Health and Human Services (PCHHS)
http://www.co.portage.wi.us/
health_and_human_.htm

PCHHS Environmental Health Section's mission is to prevent disease and assure conditions in which Portage County residents can be healthy through controlling environmental hazards to improve health, safety, and well-being. The Environmental Health Section programs include:

	license and inspect public facilities (enforcement, food & water-borne outbreak investigations, complaint investigations),
	inspect and sample transient, non-community water systems (private wells serving buildings open to the public),
	general environmental health services (residential well sampling and inspection for unsafe samples, weekly pool and beach sampling for bacteria, health investigations, indoor air monitoring, information), and
	a state certified water testing laboratory for private and municipal wells. Water samples may be tested for coliform bacteria, nitrate, fluoride, iron, and pH.

Portage County Groundwater Citizens Advisory Committee (PCGCAC)
http://www.uwsp.edu/water/portage/
manage/pcgcac/index.htm

PCGCAC's role is to gather views and concerns regarding groundwater protection and management in Portage County from individual citizens and municipal governing boards, and to present recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Committee for consideration by the Portage County Board. PCGCAC is also responsible for this website.

Portage County Planning & Zoning (P&Z)
main page: http://www.co.portage.wi.us
P&Z page: http://www.co.portage.wi.us/
P&Z.htm
e-mail: groundwater@portage.co.wi.us

P&Z oversees the County's planning and zoning, wellhead protection ordinances, and soil and water conservation. It also manages the groundwater resource according to the Groundwater Management Plan.

Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center (CWGC) part of the Center for Watershed Science & Education http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/gndwater email: kmasarik@uwsp.edu University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources, Room 224 Stevens Point, WI 54481 715-346-4270 George Kraft, Director; Chris Mechenich, Education Coordinator	CWGC helps Wisconsin citizens and governments manage the groundwater resource wisely, through education, public information, applied research, and technical assistance. Offers drinking water education programs for citizens
Department of Agriculture Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP) main page: http://datcp.state.wi.us groundwater: http://datcp.state.wi.us/static/arm/landwater/gdwater.htm	DATCP provides services in consumer and business information, complaint handling, lab testing, agricultural development and marketing services, farm assistance, and more. DATCP has educational information and administers/enforces rules on pesticide use, agricultural chemical storage, soil and water resource management, and water bottler licensing. Grants are offered in nutrient management planning.
Department of Commerce (Comm) http://www.commerce.state.wi.us	Comm regulates the installation and operation of private septic systems and petroleum storage tanks, maintains records for tank ownership, and approves home water treatment devices.
Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us	DHFS inspects restaurant, hotel, motel, and campground water supplies, recommends enforcement standards for substances in groundwater related to health concerns, investigates health effects from contamination incidents, and interprets water test results.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) main page: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us drinking water: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/ org/water/dwg groundwater: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/ org/water/dwg/gw	DNR, the lead state agency in protecting and improving Wisconsin's groundwater, has a bureau dedicated to groundwater and drinking water management, which provides educational information, publications, and wellhead protection programs; collects well construction reports; and enforces groundwater standards. DNR also maintains a list of certified water testing labs and regulates solid and hazardous wastes and wastewater systems.
Groundwater Coordinating Council (GCC) http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/dwg/gcc	GCC is comprised of state government officials, the governor, and local and federal governments. It advises and assists state agencies in the coordination of non-regulatory programs and the exchange of information related to groundwater, and provides public outreach and educational materials.
University of Wisconsin Extension (UWEX) main page: http://www.uwex.edu all county offices: http://www1.uwex.edu/ces/cty Portage County: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/portage water resource program: http://clean-water.uwex.edu	UWEX partners with local, county, state and federal government to address public issues and local needs. UWEX develops practical educational programs based on university knowledge and research in the areas of agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, and natural resources. Many publications and services are available on nutrient and pest management, soil testing, drinking water, and groundwater.
Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey (WGNHS) http://www.uwex.edu/wgnhs	WGNHS conducts earth-science surveys, field studies, and research about the geology, mineral resources, water resources, climate, soil, and biology of Wisconsin. It collects and distributes maps, well construction reports, publications, and other information.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) main page: http://www.epa.gov groundwater and drinking water: http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW office of water: http://www.epa.gov/OW region 5: http://www.epa.gov/region5	EPA is the federal agency responsible for establishing standards for drinking water, groundwater, pesticides, and more. EPA offers publications and information on regulations, databases, source water protection, public drinking water programs, drinking water and health basics, drinking water standards program, underground injection control, local drinking water, and kid's stuff.
Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) http://www.goldensandsrcd.org	RC&D works with local people and farmers to address groundwater problems and concerns.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) http://www.nrcs.usda.gov	NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, improve, and sustain our natural resources and environment. Areas of assistance and education include soil and water resource management, protection practices, nutrient and pest management planning, and livestock waste management.
United States Geologic Survey (USGS) main page: http://www.usgs.gov water resource division: http://water.usgs.gov/	USGS produces and distributes maps, collects data, and conducts studies regarding groundwater quality and quantity, groundwater levels, stream flows, lakes and reservoirs, and physical and biological characteristics of surface water.