East side well use determined by level of possible Kipp contamination

Decision to use well based on location of contamination plume

MADISON, Wis. — The decision to use a well on Madison’s east side will not be made until further details are confirmed regarding possible contamination from Madison Kipp Corporation, according to a release.

Madison Water Utility has not made a decision on the use of seasonal Well 8 on Madison’s east side this summer until further results from MKC are released on the location of a contamination plume, according to the release.

Well 8 is not currently in service but according to the release, it is often used during high-demand summer months and can be important to provide enough water during a fire emergency in the area.

MKC recently installed a groundwater monitoring well about 600 feet from Well 8 to determine how far a contaminated groundwater plume has spread, according to the release.

Tests of the monitoring well water show that it does contain traces of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), which is the same chemical contaminating groundwater beneath MKC, according to the release.

MKC has told city officials the tests detected PCE at very low levels of about 0.76 micrograms per liter.

The federally mandated maximum contaminant level for PCE is 5.0 micrograms per liter, according to the release.

Officials say PCE has never been found in the water at Well 8.

MKC’s shallow monitoring well takes in samples from a depth of about 120 – 130 feet for testing, and Well 8 is much deeper, at 774 feet, and draws water primarily from the lower aquifer below a natural barrier known as the Eau Claire Shale, according to the release.

Officials say heavy rainfall has led to relatively low water demand in June and Well 8 has not been needed.

When Well 8 is used again, Madison Water Utility will run thorough tests to make sure the water is safe before it enters the city’s distribution system.