The environment around us can be impacted by hazardous materials, also known as contaminants, in ways that may affect our health and well being. New contaminants in our water, air, and soil are referred to as emerging contaminants or contaminants of emerging concern. They present unique challenges when it comes to protecting our natural resources and ourselves, as our knowledge of their properties is limited and constantly changes as we learn more about them. The Natural Resources Institute is dedicated to increasing access to information and collaborating with partners to foster better understanding of emerging contaminants in Wisconsin.

Emerging contaminants at NRI

We are working to improve access to information about emerging contaminants in Wisconsin’s water for private well owners as well as the county health and conservation professionals who serve them. Our resources provide support for private well owners when interpreting drinking water lab results. For county health and conservation professionals we provide materials to support outreach around emerging contaminants and testing in their communities. 

We also support groups striving to address the gap in knowledge about emerging contaminants, co-chairing the Wisconsin Neonicotinoid workgroup and the PFAS Collaborative Group.

Collaborators in Emerging Contaminants

Want to learn more about who else in Wisconsin are addressing emerging contaminants in our water? Check out our collaborators for more information:

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• Sea Grant, University of Wisconsin
• The Wisconsin State Geological and Natural History Survey