Rural homes around Mount Horeb draw from bedrock wells with typical town medians of about 200 to 245 feet, and deeper wells on the ridges. Western Dane County testing found detectable nitrate in 90% of volunteer samples. Test for bacteria and nitrate every year, and use a DNR-licensed pump installer for pump or tank work.
Updated October 2026
Typical wells here
Glaciers never reached this area, so wells go straight into dolomite and sandstone. Town medians from DNR records (middle half in parentheses):
- Springdale: 515 wells, 205 ft (162–251), casing 125 ft
- Blue Mounds: 245 wells, 242 ft (200–278), 17% deeper than 300 ft
- Vermont: 201 wells, 242 ft (142–302), 27% deeper than 300 ft
- Perry: 184 wells, 241 ft (180–272)
- Primrose: 157 wells, 202 ft (149–252)
In Blue Mounds, Perry and Vermont, the median water level sits 117 to 132 feet down, so pumps are set deep. Deep settings mean more pipe and wire to pull when a pump needs service.
Water quality notes
- All five towns were in Dane County’s 2024–25 western Dane testing project. Of its 1,292 volunteer samples, 90% had detectable nitrate and 10% were over the 10 mg/L standard. The highest was 26.7 mg/L.
- Thin soils and fractured rock make the Driftless highly susceptible to contamination.
Testing near Mount Horeb
- The Madison and Dane County public health lab stopped testing on October 1, 2025. PHMDC still helps you read results: 608-243-0357.
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH), Madison: bacteria $35, nitrate $35, arsenic $38. Kits ship free; you pay return shipping. 608-224-6202.
- UW-Stevens Point lab: homeowner package $78 (bacteria, nitrate and basic chemistry). 715-346-3209.
- WellTAP: free tests for eligible homes with a pregnant person, a child 12 or under, or someone immunocompromised. In Dane County, call 608-242-6515.
Permits and rules
- New well: a Dane County well location permit from PHMDC ($226, 608-242-6515) plus the DNR well construction notification ($50.50).
- 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.
- No water, or the pump runs without output
- Bacteria that return after disinfection
- Pump work on a deep ridge well
- Sealing an unused well
Related
- Wells around Verona
- Wells around Barneveld and Ridgeway
- Typical well depths by town
- Common well problems
- Where to test your well water
Sources
