Page 25 - 2015 Compass Now

livestock consumption is to have the water tested by the well user and sent to a certified laboratory in the COMMUNITY
region for analysis. There are a number of different reasons why private wells may become contaminated or
observe changes in water quality. Some are due to natural causes, but many are caused by human activity.
Because groundwater is actually precipitation that has infiltrated into the soil and rock, what we do on the
land surface can often have a large effect on the quality of our groundwater resource and private wells.

The amount of waste a community produces can have a huge impact on the natural environment and
the quality of life. Medication disposal is an emerging and complex issue. County health departments,
in conjunction with county sheriffs and waste management departments, organize drug round-up days
to assist in the collection of unused and expired over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Regulations
imposed by the Drug Enforcement Agency limit the collection of controlled substances such as Vicodin,
Oxycontin, Ritalin, and Valium, which are often the most dangerous to have in the home. The Heroin Task
Force, established in La Crosse County in 2013, put up seven medication drop boxes that have diverted over
1,200 pounds of medications from local waste streams, also preventing these drugs from potential abuse.
Between the medication drop boxes and other focused community efforts, there were over 7,000 pounds of
prescription medications collected in 2015 alone.

Today’s modern landfills are designed with environmental controls and must meet the DNR requirements.
La Crosse County has both a waste-to-energy plant and a sanitary landfill. Most waste is taken to Xcel
Energy’s waste-to-energy plant, where it is burned to create energy. The plant processes more than 100,000
tons of waste per year. In 2013, nearly 57,511 tons – or 35.3% – of materials were separated from the waste
stream and beneficially re-used. Large items are taken to the landfill, which spans 25 acres and can hold 1.8
million cubic yards of refuse. Houston County and part of Trempealeau County also use the waste-to-energy
plant, and the La Crosse County Landfill. La Crosse County has a Household Hazardous Waste Facility where
residents and businesses can take paint, batteries, chemicals, and electronic waste. La Crosse County’s
landfill receives more waste than any other county in the region, largely because of the industries located in
the county, and the greater population. At current disposal rates, the landfill can continue to accept waste
for approximately 30 more years.

How do people rate the quality of the environment?

Respondents of the COMPASS NOW 2015 Random Household Survey were asked to rate the quality of water
in our rivers and lakes. The results can be found in Figure 3. Almost 65% of respondents said the quality of
water in lakes and rivers was excellent or good.

Figure 3: Quality of Water in Rivers and Lakes

Poor/Fair
35%

Good
52%

Excellent
13%

Source: COMPASS NOW 2015 Random Household Survey

COMPASS NOW 2015 17