This PFAS Private Well Evaluation Toolkit is a comprehensive resource that helps local and tribal health departments or other suitable organizations plan, conduct, and communicate PFAS private well sampling efforts in their communities. The toolkit outlines how to prepare for and conduct sampling, and how to track and share testing results with participants.

Introduction to PFAS

PFAS, which stands for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in many everyday products since the 1940s. These include things like firefighting foam, non-stick pans, water and stain-resistant fabrics, fast food packaging, and personal care products. PFAS don’t break down easily, which makes them useful, but also means they stick around in our environment for a long time, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” People can be exposed to PFAS through drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food, breathing in or swallowing contaminated dust, or using products that contain PFAS.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) explains long-term human exposure to PFAS may have harmful health effects including but not limited to increased risk of thyroid disease, some cancers, pregnancy complications, increased cholesterol levels, and more. The presence of PFAS in drinking water may pose a significant public health threat, so the Wisconsin DHS has established drinking water advisories for certain PFAS compounds.

Wisconsin DHS drinking water health advisories for PFAS

PFOA = 4 ng/L	PFNA = 10 ng/L	PFUnA = 3,000 ng/L
PFOS = 4 ng/L	PFHxS = 10 ng/L	PFBA = 10,000 ng/L
FOSA = 4 ng/L	GenX (HPFO-DA) = 10 ng/L	PFTeA = 10,000 ng/L
NEtFOSA = 4 ng/L	PFDA = 300 ng/L	PFHxA = 150,000 ng/L
NEtFOSAA = 4 ng/L	PFDoA = 500 ng/L	PFODA = 400,000 ng/L
NetFOSE = 4 ng/L	DONA = 3,000 ng/L	PFBS = 2,000 ng/L

• Units are nanograms of PFAS per liter of water (ng/L). This is equal to parts per trillion (ppt).
• Bolded text indicates state groundwater standard recommendations. Text that is not bold indicates state drinking water health advisory levels.

If you want to learn more about PFAS, how to build your own PFAS communication materials, or find resources for managing a private well impacted by PFAS check out these webpages:

Conducting Private Well Research

To better understand the extent of PFAS environmental contamination in Wisconsin, it is essential to collect data. PFAS are an emerging contaminant with a lot of unknowns, including uncertainties about the extent of contamination in Wisconsin groundwater. Conducting PFAS private well water sampling helps communities identify risk patterns, protect vulnerable households, and guide long-term planning. PFAS exposure should be dealt with proactively, so this toolkit was designed to help empower Wisconsin communities to take informed action on this public health concern.

The toolkit offers ready-to-use templates, outreach materials, protocols, and best practices to reduce project time and increase capacity for PFAS private well sampling efforts. It has three sections: Preparing to Sample for PFAS, Sampling Process, and Tracking PFAS Testing Results and Sharing Results with Participants. Together these can help design a private well testing project from start to finish.

Financial Support

The programs offer financial support to qualifying well owners, renters, and communities impacted by PFAS contamination in water.

Funding Acknowledgment

This toolkit was developed with funds provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources through the Joint Solicitation for Groundwater Research and Monitoring Program.