The Central Sands of Wisconsin is a 64,000 km2 region with relatively flat topography encompassing six counties. It has a mantle of coarse-grained Pleistocene glaciofluvial and lacustrine sediment, which overlies crystalline rock and sometimes sandstone.

This research explores sources and risk factors of nitrate contamination in private wells in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. Nitrate is a naturally occurring compound found in groundwater, but also has anthropogenic sources.

Groundwater pumping in the central Wisconsin area has long been estimated to adversely affect streamflows and the levels of groundwater and streams.

Human and animal waste poses a threat to the quality of groundwater, surface water and sources of drinking water. This is especially of concern for private and public water supplies in agricultural areas of Wisconsin where land spreading of livestock waste occurs on thin soils overlaying fractured bedrock.

Among the many waterborne pathogens of humans, enteric viruses have the greatest potential to move deeply through the subsurface environment, penetrate aquitards, and reach confined aquifers.