LibGuides: Soils Assignment Guide: Research Tips: State Websites

Web Sources for Research

Your best bet for finding local information about water quality issues is to search city, county, and state websites.

A great starting point is to search the Wisconsin State website - Wisconsin.gov

Enter your search term into the main search box.
Find reports, news articles, and more.

State of Wisconsin Department related to water quality include:

Wisconsin Department of Health
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Links to the main pages of these websites are listed below.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
DHS is committed to protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin, making sure everyone can live their best life.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The DNR is dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations, DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.
Welcome to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Our mission is to partner with all the citizens of Wisconsin to grow the economy by promoting quality food, healthy plants and animals, sound use of land and water resources, and a fair marketplace. Thank you for visiting.

Links to State and Local Information About State and Local Water Resources

City of La Crosse Water Quality Report
Provides a complete summary of water quality information from 2020.
La Crosse County Environmental Health Profile
Wisconsin Department of Health: Environmental Public Health Tracking: County Environmental Health Profiles -- Pages 7-8: Private Water Quality
La Crosse County Annual Report 2020
p. 4: Soil and Water Resource Management Program
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - PFAs
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s and have been found in waters sources in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin DNR: Lakes Division of Water - Bureau of Water Quality
Search by County -- Volunteers, DNR staff, county staff and others collect water clarity, temperature and dissolved oxygen, as well as other water quality data, on lakes across Wisconsin.
Drinking Water Quality
Southwest Wisconsin groundwater and geology (SWIGG) study: Southwest Wisconsin has fractured bedrock beneath generally thin soils, putting groundwater at risk for contamination. The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of groundwater quality in southwest Wisconsin and to better understand how local hydrogeology and well construction characteristics affect groundwater quality.
Ground Water and Well Data
To learn about the likely quantity and quality of groundwater in a geographic area, you will want to find data from several sources.
Wisconsin Public Water Systems 2020 Annual Drinking Water Report
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is charged with protecting the quality and
quantity of Wisconsin’s water resources and is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Safe
Drinking Water Act to safeguard Wisconsin’s drinking water quality.
EPA: Water Quality Standards Regulations: Wisconsin
Wisconsin water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA)
Environmental Public Health Tracking: Water Data
Drinking water that is piped into your home, school, or office comes from either the public water supply or a private well. Wisconsin Tracking provides data and information on public water quality in Wisconsin.