Despite efforts at the state and county level, Wisconsin is still being challenged with nitrate contamination. According to the Environmental Working Group, Wisconsin is one of 10 states with increasing problems with nitrates in their drinking water as it looked at 4,000 community water systems from 2003 to 2017. Leaky septic tanks and farm run-off are often the cause for the increased levels of nitrates in water. While Door and Kewaunee Counties have instituted ordinances restricting where and when liquid manure can be applied to help protect the groundwater, Clean Water Action Council Executive Director Dean Hoegger says more needs to be done to protect the community.

Hoegger says not doing more will only increase the likelihood of major health issues. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, approximately 10 percent of private wells statewide exceed standards for nitrate contamination.