Groundwater Guardian Community Profile
Chippewa Falls, WI - US
Years Designated: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
Community Profile:
The 13,515 people who live in Chippewa Falls use groundwater for all of their drinking water needs. The City of Chippewa Falls obtains its water supply from wells located in a shallow sand and gravel aquifer. These wells are in wellfields with the majority of the zone of contribution (ZOC) area outside city boundaries. Nitrate, iron, and manganese levels are a concern, along with the strong probability that over 400 acres of agricultural land in the ZOC will soon be developed for industrial, commercial and residential uses in the next five to ten years. Chippewa Falls uses Groundwater Guardian to educate residential, business and agricultural landowners.
Result Oriented Activities:
- Organized the Groundwater Guardian Committee and volunteers to attach 126 weather proof "buttons" with "Dump No Waste, Drains to River" to high priority catch basins.
- Demonstrated an aquifer recharge model to 5th grade students at State Park conservation days.
- Developed a groundwater monitoring program to record and sample monitoring wells in the city west wellfield for static levels, iron, manganese, nitrate-nitrogen and TDS semi-annually. A report will be submitted to the mayor and water utility annually. This program is useful to local leaders as they make decisions regarding protection of the west wellfield area.
- Staffed informational booth at Northern Wisconsin State Fair, reaching more than 65,000 people.
- Helped host the Safe & Green Sweep Project, where 200 pounds of pharmaceuticals were collected and disposed of properly.
Community Contact:
Connie Freagon
City of Chippewa Falls
30 W. Central Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 US
Phone:715-726-2741
Fax:715-726-2750
E-mail:
cfreagon@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Website:
www.chippewafalls-wi.gov
