How A Growing Washington County Community Is Trying To Ensure Its Water Supply Lasts

An estimated 1.7 million Wisconsinites rely on private wells for water. That includes the residents of Richfield, which is located northwest of Milwaukee in rural Washington County. Richfield is trying to balance development with ensuring there is enough well water for all. When Doug Cherkauer and his family moved to the 36-square-mile community in 1996, its population was 9,600. Almost immediately Cherkauer started monitoring the levels of his family’s well, something he’s expert at — he's a