Updated April 30, 2013
Well 8
Well 8 was taken out of service for the year on September 10. Between late July and early September, the well delivered 11 million gallons of water to the distribution system. The well operates during summer months to help meet peak demand and provide water for fire protection.
Iron levels at Well 8 currently exceed the recommended level, or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL), and manganese is near the SMCL. The SMCL is a guideline established by the EPA for substances that impact the aesthetic quality (taste, odor, or appearance) but not the safety of the water. Seasonal operation of the well allows the utility to meet higher summer water demand while reducing customer impact due to the high iron and manganese levels in the source water.
Reduced operation of Well 8 is also driven by concerns about the potential movement of groundwater contaminants in the vicinity of Madison-Kipp Corporation toward the well. The Water Utility had planned to install a monitoring or sentry well near Elmside Circle Park; however, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which is overseeing the investigation at Madison-Kipp, has advised the utility to delay installation until more of that work is complete. When installed, a monitoring well will provide additional insights into the quality of groundwater located between the contamination source and the municipal well. Currently neither PCE (tetrachloroethylene) nor TCE (trichloroethylene) have been detected at Well 8.
Degreasing solvents had been used at Madison-Kipp Corporation for many years. This use has resulted in soil and groundwater contamination in the vicinity of the plant. A substantial plume of PCE-contaminated groundwater has been found under the factory. More information is available on the WDNR website.
2012 Water Quality:
The Water Utility anticipates using Well 8 seasonally until either a filter is constructed to remove iron and manganese, currently budgeted for 2014, or an alternative to filtration is identified and incorporated into the Water Utility’s Capital Improvement Program.
