The Southwest Groundwater & Geological Study (SWIGG) is underway and will look at a broad set of private wells, in Grant, Lafayette, and Iowa Counties, to evaluate the contamination levels of bacteria and nitrates. Crawford Stewardship staff recently attended a event held by Clean Wisconsin in Mineral Point to learn more about the study. The SWIGG is a smaller version of the Kewaunee County study that found widespread contamination of private wells, precipitating a public health safety crisis. With similar karst geology, made up of fractured bedrock, SW WI is also very vulnerable to groundwater and thus well water contamination. Here is a fact sheet on the study for those who wish to read more.

We hope this study will help bring more attention to the need for further studies and actions regarding Crawford, Richland, and Vernon Counties, where only 1-2% of wells have been tested.

Crawford Stewardship Project is actively engaged in the issues surrounding safe drinking water, which we all need to live and thrive. If this is important to you, reach out to your local county and state officials and express your concerns for the need of further investigation, action, and protection of our drinking water.
Also, look for upcoming news and actions from CSP on this front!