Public Health
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Wisconsin's groundwater law
Wisconsin's groundwater law, Ch. 160, Wis. Stats., established the framework for a comprehensive approach to protect public health and welfare and the environment. The intent of this law is to minimize the concentration of polluting substances in…
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Current groundwater standards
Current public health and public welfare groundwater standards are contained in Ch. NR 140, Wis. Adm. Code.
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America's Water Infrastructure Act
On October 23, 2018, America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) was signed into law and is an amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). As stated by U.S. EPA, AWIA "improves drinking water and water quality, deepens infrastructure investments…
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Management actions
Source water and wellhead protection A sound plan has a to-do list that identifies a list of priority measures. The plan can be updated as actions are completed. Adopting a wellhead protection ordinance is the most fundamental protective action,…
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Pandemic influenza - a guide for water plant owners and operators
What is pandemic influenza? A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily person-to-person…
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Drinking water security and emergency preparedness
Drinking water security and emergency response have long been essential in managing drinking water systems and they are high priorities for the DNR. The events of September 11, 2001 and natural disasters such as the Hurricanes of 2005 have…
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Public notification rule
Public notification is an important part of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made significant changes to the Public Notification Rule, which were added to Wisconsin Administrative Code, Ch. NR 809,…
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Manure and drinking water
Livestock manure may infiltrate drinking water wells from field application, spills and weather events. Manure may contain fecal bacteria, viruses and nitrates that can cause acute illness, especially in sensitive populations such as infants, women…
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Drinking water and lead
Lead is a common metal. Although originally used in many consumer products, lead is now known to be harmful to human health if ingested or inhaled. It can be found in lead-based paint, air, soil, household dust, food, some types of pottery and…