Monona public works reports PFAS testing, plans public-facing operations report

Monona Public Works staff told the committee on Dec. 3 that the city is conducting PFAS testing this year and that the Environmental Protection Agency is funding the sampling. Dan said the department completed an initial round of sampling in summer and planned a second round in December.

On PFAS specifically, staff said results for Wells 1–3 will appear in the water-quality report and that "so far, all of our results are below the actual limit." The transcript includes a staff comment that there was a PFAS detection in well 1 described verbally as "about 2," but the transcript does not specify units or regulatory context for that number.

Dan also reported the "Kelly Place School of Water Project" is substantially finished, with only punch-list items and spring landscaping remaining; staff proposed installing an informational kiosk and working with Clean Lakes Alliance to highlight the project. Committee members encouraged staff to publish the department's operations spreadsheet on the city website but advised making the spreadsheet language suitable for the public. Dave told staff to "go through it first with that mind" and to provide a way for residents to ask questions, which would both improve clarity and let staff track community engagement.

No formal committee vote was taken on publishing the spreadsheet; staff indicated they would explore posting the 2024 final report and building a public archive of operations work.