PFAS detected in Rib Mountain municipal well

RIB MOUNTAIN, Wis. (WAOW)-- The Town of Rib Mountain said PFAS was detected in one of their municipal wells. 

The Rib Mountain Sanitary District says that in November and December, they were testing for per and polyfluoroalkyl(PFAS) as part of preparation and design of a water treatment plant. 

During the voluntary testing, PFAS was detected in Well #1 at levels above the recommended enforcement standards being considered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 

The sanitary district says the other three wells that were also tested had low levels of PFAS and were not at levels of health concerns. 

Both businesses and residents can safely continue to use and drink from the water supply as normal. 

When the sanitary district received the test results, they shut off Well #1 and are only using water from wells that are below the health thresholds. 

The sanitary district says they aren't in violation of any current DNR drinking water standards and regulations. The immediate action that was taken was a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of the public until further testing, evaluation, and investigation can be completed.  

The sanitary district will continure to work with the DNR and Department of Health Services to monitor all municipal wells to ensure the risk of PFAS is low and the drinking water supply is safe. 

Rib Mountain has a PFA webpage that also includes the testing results and the full press release, it can be seen here. 

Anyone with questions can send an email to PFAS@rmsd1.com