Private Wells

Making sure your well is in a good location and taking care of it regularly reduces the chance that contaminants can make you sick. We issue well location permits and offer water testing.

Well location permits

Before you build a well, you are required to get a well location permit.  We make sure your well is properly setback from potential sources of contamination.  Call us at 608-785-9771 for details about the permit and the process for building a well in La Crosse County.  You also need a well construction permit from the DNR. A licensed well professional usually handles this for the owner.   

Licensed well drillers and plumbers

See information at this link:  Well and heat exchange contractors | | Wisconsin DNR

Well permit application

Well Permit Application

Well and septic program fee schedule

Sanitary Permit Fees

Well information and testing

See information at this link:  Wells | Wisconsin DNR

Well water testing recommendations

Test your well water every year for contaminants including coliform, bacteria, and nitrates.  You should also test if you notice any change in taste, odor, appearance, or after flooding.

It is very important to test for nitrate in households with pregnant people, infants, and young children.  Nitrate can reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen.  In infants it can cause a serious condition called blue baby syndrome. 

Visit our Water Quality webpage for testing information or call our lab at 608-785-9733.  We can recommend other tests depending on your well's location, age, etc.

What’s wrong with my water?

Abandoned wells

Abandoned or unused wells can contaminate the aquifer.  This can affect the safety and quality of ground water and drinking water.  Financial help for well abandonment may be available from the well compensation grant program.

Well Filling and Sealing

WI Legislation on Abandonment of Wells