The residents of Kewaunee County are concerned about the quality of their drinking water, and for good reason.
A recent test of 300 private wells in Kewaunee County revealed that a large number of them tested positive for elevated nitrate levels, some over ten parts per million.
While that may seem insignificant, the Department of Health Services notes that drinking water with over ten parts per million can cause birth defects, blue baby disease, and thyroid disease.
The Kewaunee County Land and Water Committee held a public meeting last night to discuss the issue with residents, and roughly 50 people showed up to voice their concerns.
Many expressed concern for their own health, along with their family’s health, while another voiced frustration as he had just purchased a house in the area just to learn there were water issues.
The County leaders say they have been working on the issue, but bureaucracy has slowed the process.
In fact, the Village of Casco was denied a grant request to fix the problem because the village’s average income was too high.
It is not clear what the next step is going to be for the county and local municipalities, but county leaders encouraged residents to test their own wells as they keep working on fixing the issue.
