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In the tranquil landscape of Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, a hidden crisis has unfolded over the past decades. Nestled on the Door Peninsula and part of the Niagara Escarpment, this region shares many characteristics with other rural areas, including its reliance on karst aquifers for drinking water and its significant agricultural activities. However, the very geology that supports the region’s rich biodiversity and farming also renders its groundwater extremely vulnerable to contamination. The severe water contamination crisis that has plagued Kewaunee County serves as a stark warning and a call to action for similar regions. This article explores the factors that led to the crisis, the health impacts, the political and community responses, and the lessons that can be learned to prevent such a disaster elsewhere.
The Karst Geology and Its Vulnerability
Kewaunee County sits on a bedrock of Silurian dolomite, a porous limestone that is prone to the formation of sinkholes, disappearing streams, and caves. These features create direct pathways for contaminants to travel from the surface to the groundwater. The region’s thin soil cover exacerbates the issue, making it even easier for pollutants like manure, nitrates, and bacteria to seep into the water supply. Approximately 70% of the county’s residents rely on groundwater for drinking, making the protection of this resource critical.
Sources of Contamination
The primary source of contamination in Kewaunee County’s groundwater is agricultural runoff, particularly from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). In May 2014, tests of 556 private wells revealed that 30% were unsafe due to high levels of coliform bacteria and nitrates. By 2017, further studies found that over 60% of the wells contained fecal microbes, indicating contamination from both animal waste and potentially septic systems. The main culprit, however, was identified as bovine fecal matter.
Contaminated drinking water, as delivered from the tab.
Research by Mark Borchardt [1] from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service pinpointed the proximity of wells to manure storage as the most significant risk factor for contamination. Wells located within 150 feet of a manure lagoon had a high likelihood of contamination, but even wells three miles away were at risk. Other factors, such as the presence of agricultural fields and the depth to bedrock, also influenced contamination levels.
Health Impacts
The contamination had severe health consequences for Kewaunee County residents. A study in 2021 linked cow manure to 230 cases of acute gastrointestinal illness per year, out of a total of 301 cases [2]. The symptoms included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, with children, the elderly, and those with compromised health being particularly vulnerable. High nitrate levels in the water also posed long-term health risks, such as reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, cardiovascular issues, and an increased risk of cancer.
Community Response and Political Action
Faced with a public health crisis, the community and local officials in Kewaunee County took significant steps to address the issue. The establishment of a bipartisan Water Quality Task Force led to the development of strategies aimed at improving water quality. These included better soil mapping and data collection, improved management of agricultural runoff, and changes to well and septic system construction.
The legal battle known as Clean Water vs. DNR highlighted the community’s struggle for clean water. Residents sued Kinnard Farms, a large-scale dairy operation, for failing to protect groundwater from contamination. In 2021, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of the residents, reaffirming the authority of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to impose stricter regulations on CAFOs. This victory led to the implementation of new rules, including limits on herd size and requirements for groundwater monitoring.
Policy Changes and Preventative Measures
In response to the crisis, Kewaunee County implemented comprehensive policies to protect its groundwater. A Groundwater Contamination Susceptibility Map was created to identify areas at high risk of contamination. This map helps local officials prioritize areas for further study and intervention. The county also expanded well testing to include pathogens and nitrates, and launched programs to assist residents with contaminated wells, such as the Well Compensation Program, which provides financial support for well testing and improvements.
The county’s Public Health Department played a crucial role in educating residents about the risks of contaminated water and providing resources for well testing and treatment. Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Nitrate levels continue to pose health risks, and the rapid movement of water in karst aquifers makes it difficult to ensure long-term safety.
Conclusion
The water contamination crisis in Kewaunee County underscores the critical need for stringent environmental regulations and proactive community engagement in regions reliant on vulnerable water sources. The lessons learned from Kewaunee are clear: comprehensive policies, rigorous testing, and community involvement are essential to protect public health and prevent similar tragedies. As other regions with similar geological and agricultural conditions look to Kewaunee’s experience, it is crucial to adopt preventive measures and policies that prioritize the safeguarding of drinking water sources. By doing so, communities can avoid the devastating consequences of water contamination and ensure a safe and healthy future for their residents.
References
[1] Borchardt MA, Stokdyk JP, Kieke Jr BA, Muldoon MA, Spencer SK, Firnstahl AD, Bonness DE, Hunt RJ, Burch TR. Sources and risk factors for nitrate and microbial contamination of private household wells in the fractured dolomite aquifer of northeastern Wisconsin. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2021 Jun 23;129(6):067004.
[2] Burch TR, Stokdyk JP, Spencer SK, Kieke Jr BA, Firnstahl AD, Muldoon MA, Borchardt MA. Quantitative microbial risk assessment for contaminated private wells in the fractured dolomite aquifer of Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. Environmental health perspectives. 2021 Jun 23;129(6):067003. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/pdf/10.1289/EHP7815
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