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Utility reports gross-alpha exceedance at Well 5; DNR public-notice and possible consent order pending
Summary
Pewaukee Water & Sewer staff said recalculation of radium and gross‑alpha monitoring showed gross‑alpha levels above guidance at Well 5; the Wisconsin DNR requires a public notice and staff said the discovery may trigger a consent order and is being shared with consultants studying long‑term water‑supply alternatives.
Pewaukee utility staff told the council June 16 that tests at Well 5 show elevated gross‑alpha results and that the city will issue a DNR‑required public notice and continue radium notices tied to a prior consent order.
The utility said that during an update of radium public‑notice dates it recalculated radium and gross‑alpha results for 2024 and early 2025. The recalculation showed radium below limits (reported level: 4.32) but gross‑alpha above the guideline that triggers additional public-notice requirements. The city’s DNR representative advised that the utility must publish a new notice for Well 5 detailing the elevated gross‑alpha and continue the radium notice required under the consent order.
Staff said the elevated gross‑alpha may prompt a consent‑order action for Well 5. Utility staff also reported the city is completing a water‑supply service‑area study and has passed the test results to the consultant reviewing future supply alternatives. The utility said Well 5 is used sparingly and kept as an emergency supply; use may increase seasonally but the city is limiting nonessential use while the issue is addressed.
No immediate mitigation plan was adopted at the meeting; staff presented the public‑notice language they intend to mail with utility bills and said they will continue coordination with DNR and the city’s consultant on longer‑term supply and compliance steps.
