Wells in Brigham (around Barneveld) and Ridgeway are deep ridge wells, with medians near 263 feet and water about 145 to 150 feet down. More than a third go past 300 feet. Test yearly through the Iowa County Health Department, and use a DNR-licensed pump installer for pump work.
Updated October 2026
Typical wells here
- Brigham: 269 wells, median 264 ft (214–315), casing 147 ft, 34% deeper than 300 ft.
- Ridgeway: 152 wells, median 262 ft (183–338), casing 158 ft, 39% deeper than 300 ft.
- Median water levels: Brigham about 145 ft, Ridgeway about 150 ft.
Dolomite caps these ridges, with no glacial soil on top. With water this deep, pumps hang low, so repairs take more pipe, wire and time.
Water quality notes
- The Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology Study (SWIGG) covered Iowa, Grant and Lafayette counties. In November 2018, 42% of 301 randomly sampled wells failed at least one test: 34% had coliform bacteria, 4% E. coli and 16% nitrate over 10 mg/L.
- Thin soils over fractured rock let surface water reach wells quickly. Retest if water changes after heavy rain.
- Summer storms and lightning can damage pumps.
Testing near Barneveld and Ridgeway
- Iowa County Health Department, Dodgeville: bacteria, nitrate, arsenic or lead, $35 each. Return samples on ice within 24 hours, Monday to Thursday. 608-930-9870.
- WSLH and UW-Stevens Point also mail kits statewide.
Permits and rules
- New well: the DNR well construction notification ($50.50) applies. Iowa County is not a DNR-delegated county, so confirm local rules with county zoning.
- Setbacks: 25 ft from a septic tank, 50 ft from a drainfield.
- A well unused for more than 90 days must be filled and sealed by a licensed driller or pump installer. The DNR Well Abandonment Grant can pay 75% for eligible households, with approval before work starts.
When you need a licensed professional
Wisconsin rules require a DNR-licensed pump installer for pump and pressure-tank work on a drinking-water well; check with DNR if you’re unsure. You can check a contractor’s license in the DNR directories.
- Pump replacement on a deep ridge well
- No water after a storm
- Coliform in a test result
- Sealing an old well
Related
- Wells around Dodgeville
- Wells around Mount Horeb
- Typical well depths by town
- Common well problems
- Where to test your well water
Sources
