Our environment can be affected by hazardous materials, or contaminants, that impact human health. Those that are newly identified are known as emerging contaminants. They present unique challenges because we are still learning about their properties and risks. The Natural Resources Institute is working to increase access to information, foster collaboration, and provide communities critical support so they can better understand emerging contaminants and what they can do about them. 

UW-Madison Extension’s emerging contaminants work

We aim to improve access to information about emerging contaminants for Wisconsin’s private well owners and the county health and conservation professionals who serve them.  

• For Professionals: We offer outreach materials to support local testing and community education. 
• For Residents: We provide resources to help well owners interpret their drinking water lab results.

We also lead efforts to close knowledge gaps by co-chairing the Wisconsin Neonicotinoid workgroup and the PFAS Collaborative Group. 

Collaborators in emerging contaminants

Want to learn more about how others in Wisconsin are addressing emerging contaminants in our water?

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

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