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Agency or institution |
Responsibilities |
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Department of Health and Family Services
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- holds public meetings on contaminated water supplies
- recommends enforcement standards for substances of health concern
- investigates health effects from contamination
- inspects water supplies at restaurants, hotels, motels and campgrounds
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Department of Commerce
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- inspects and keeps records on underground storage tanks
- enforces septic system regulations
- approves home water treatment devices
- runs the brownfield grant program
- educates business and landowners about tank laws
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University of Wisconsin
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- researches the occurrence, effects and prevention of groundwater pollution
- educates students and working professionals about groundwater issues
- maintains water resource references
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Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey/University of Wisconsin
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- maps and inventories groundwater resources and geological formations
- writes technical reports and assists regulatory agencies
- monitors groundwater levels and water quality
- educates about hydrology and groundwater resources
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State Lab of Hygiene
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- analyzes private well water samples
- researches virus and pathogen occurrence in groundwater
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United States Geological Survey
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- researches surface and groundwater interactions
- monitors groundwater levels
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County government
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- issues permits and inspects septic systems
- with DATCP, establishes standards for manure storage pits
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Department of Natural Resources
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- regulates sewage lagoons, municipal and industrial wastewater systems
- regulates landfills, solid waste and hazardous waste disposal
- regulates environmental consequences of mining
- responds to hazardous spills
- regulates public drinking water systems
- regulates well drilling
- provides water quality planning
- sets drinking water standards
- monitors groundwater, samples well water
- sets state groundwater quality standards
- issues permits for animal waste management
- administers the land recycling (brownfield) program
- educates school children and adults about groundwater
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Department of Transportation
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- conducts road salt and groundwater research
- regulates road salt storage
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Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
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- regulates pesticide use and cleanup
- inspects fertilizer and pesticide storage facilities
- inspects water supplies of food processors and Grade A dairy farms
- licenses water bottlers
- educates food and agricultural interests about groundwater
- researches where pesticides have entered groundwater
- oversees farm nutrient management
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University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension: UWEX county offices and the Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center at UW-Stevens Point
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- tests private wells
- educates homeowners and local government about groundwater issues
- provides community outreach
- conducts applied research about groundwater
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You
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- ensure proper use and disposal of household chemicals
- maintain wells and septic systems
- stay active in community land use issues
- report illegal or abandoned waste sites to DNR
- participate in community recycling programs
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