Does your community treat drinking water?

The Badger Herald reported yesterday that at least 60 Wisconsin communities are not treating drinking water. While the DNR can't mandate water treatment, they highly recommend it- untreated water can mean bacteria such as E.coli, as well as viruses, can enter our drinking water. Why not treat water? Some communities are concerned about the cost of the treatments, as well as the possible smell and taste of chlorine in the water.

Mineral Point found E.coli in its water in 2011, and subsequently installed a chlorination system, which cost the city about $15,000. Superintendent of water and sewer Pat O'Flahrity is quoted as saying "If you are going to err, then err on the side of public safety. This way you know. You've solved the problem...You're making sure that the water is safe."

Learn more here:

• Report linking the contamination of household tap water & viruses
• Click here to find out if your community disinfects its water
• Wisconsin DNR Drinking Water and Ground Water
• Books about drinking water quality from Wisconsin's Water Library