National Ground Water Awareness Week: March 8–14, 2026
March 8–14, 2026 is National Ground Water Awareness Week. If you have a private well, this is a good time to test your tap water to make sure it is safe to drink.
About 30% of homes in Wisconsin get their drinking water from a private well. The Oneida County Health Department, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommend testing your well water every year for bacteria and nitrate. Test your water for arsenic at least once. If past tests found arsenic, test your water every year.
To make testing easier, the Oneida County Health Department will offer discounted water test kits March 9–13, 2026:
• Bacteria: $22 (save $5)
• Nitrate: $30
• Arsenic: $35
• All three tests: $72 (save $10)
Test kits are available year-round at regular prices if you cannot purchase one during the sale.
You can pick up test kits Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:
Oneida County Health Department
100 W Keenan Street
Rhinelander, WI
After collecting your water sample, return it Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for testing. You do not have to return your sample during the week of the sale.
The Health Department does not test for PFAS.
Families with pregnant women or infants may qualify for free testing. To learn more, call the Oneida County WIC office at (715) 369-6109.
For more information about water testing and water quality, visit:
https://publichealth.co.oneida.wi.us/services/environmental-health/