Environmental Health
ARPA Well Water Nitrate Program
The Juneau County Health Department along with Juneau County Land and Water have reserved funds from the American Rescue Plan to assist county residents install reverse osmosis systems in homes that have tested for high nitrate levels. If you are interested in participating in this program, please fill in the cost share form and return to Juneau County Land and Water at 1001 Division St Mauston, WI. If you have any questions or need assistance filling out the form, please contact Land & Water at 608-847-6607 or the Health Department at 608 847-9373.
Well Water Information and Testing
Make sure you're serving your family safe drinking water. While most private water wells in Wisconsin provide safe drinking water, some may become contaminated with bacteria and other pollutants that are not filtered out when the water soaks into the ground. The Juneau County Department recommends you test your private well for coliform bacteria contamination at least once a year, if flooding has occurred, and any time you notice a change in how the water looks, tastes or smells. Even if your water looks, tastes and smells good, it can contain harmful bacteria and viruses. A nitrate test is also recommended for households with pregnant women and/or children. Infants are more susceptible to infection from contaminated water. Additionally, water that is high in nitrates causes "Blue Baby Syndrome", which limits the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Free well water testing is available for households with pregnant women and children age 5 and under. If you are interested in testing your water, you can pick up a kit at the Juneau County Health Department Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. More information regarding private well water:
Radon
Radon is an invisible and odorless, naturally occurring, radioactive gas that seeps through the ground and into residential homes and other buildings alike. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoking. Although inhalation of radon gas poses the greatest danger to human health, ingesting radon through drinking water is known to cause a risk of stomach cancer. Radon testing is simple and inexpensive. Do‐it‐yourself test kits can be purchased at the Juneau County Health Department and the Necedah and Elroy Village Offices for only $10.00. The test kits are available between November and March. More information about Radon: 
For information on Bed Bugs visit:
http://www2.epa.gov/bedbugs |
Environmental Health Services
The Juneau County Health Department has an agreement with the Wood County Health Department to administer environmental health programming.
Investigation and referral or complaints concerning food establishments, public swimming facilities, and human health hazards. Information on food and water safety, air quality, lead, etc.
Environmental Health Contact: Ben Jeffrey Phone:715-421-8955 Email: bjeffrey@co.wood.wi.us 
Rabies
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. 
Childhood Lead Testing
There is no safe level of lead exposure in the human body; even very low levels of exposure can cause permanent brain damage and negatively affect health throughout the child's life, especially those between 6 months and 6 years of age. Many lead hazards still exist in homes and the environment, including paint, vinyl mini-blinds, chalk, candlewicks and others. These hazards are commonly present during painting and remodeling of pre-1978 housing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines lead poisoning as a blood lead level of 5 or greater. Children with a lead level of 5 or greater are provided with follow-up and consultation with a Public Health Nurse. Follow up may include phone calls, home visits, consultation with the primary health care provider, and a home lead risk assessment by the Health Department's Environmental Health Specialist. For more information on lead visit: http://epa.gov/lead/ http://www.cdc.gov/lead/ http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/ |