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Resources for the Madison Community
Madison stands with the families of Abundant Life community. This page is dedicated to connecting victims and the broader community to resources and accurate information about the tragic events that happened on December 16.
DHS recommended groundwater standards for PFAS
On November 6, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recommended groundwater standards to the DNR for a number of different substances, including 16 additional types of PFAS compounds. (The agency had previously recommended standards for two types called PFOA and PFOS.)
All wells in Madison more than meet all of the DHS recommended groundwater standards for PFAS.
Below is a list of PFAS compounds, along with the recommended standard for each and the highest level of each substance found in Madison’s wells during 2020 testing. A list of levels found at Well 15 during 2019 testing is also included. Well 15 is not currently in service.
(Click here to view a map of Madison’s municipal well facilities.)
| PFAS | WI DHS recommendation (ng/L or parts per trillion) | Maximum Level (2020) | Well with Max Level (2020) | Well 15 (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 20* | 1.8 | Well 14 | 6.1 |
| PFOS | 20* | 1.8 | Well 16 | 5.9 |
| FOSA | 20* | 4.4^ | Well 31 | ND |
| NEtFOSE | 20* | 1.5 | Well 12 | ND |
| NEtFOSA | 20* | ND | -- | ND |
| NEtFOSAA | 20* | ND | -- | ND |
| PFBA | 10,000 | 37 | Well 09 | 3.0 |
| PFBS | 450,000 | 1.7 | Well 14 | 3.4 |
| PFHxA | 150,000 | 2.2 | Well 14 | 6.2 |
| PFHXS | 40 | 5.0 | Well 14 | 21 |
| PFNA | 30 | ND | -- | ND |
| PFDA | 300 | ND | -- | ND |
| PFUnA | 3000 | ND | -- | ND |
| PFDoA | 500 | 0.56 | Well 06 | ND |
| PFTeA | 10,000 | 0.52 | Well 06 | ND |
| PFODA | 400,000 | na | -- | na |
| DONA | 3000 | ND | -- | ND |
| GenX | 300 | ND | -- | ND |
* Recommended that combined level of six PFAS compounds (PFOA, PFOS, FOSA, NEtFOSE, NEtFOSA, & NEtFOSAA) be below 20 ng/L
^Present in laboratory method blank; may reflect cross-contamination at lab
ND = not detected
na = not analyzed