DNR will not force polluter to pay for well testing - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp will not order a waste hauling company to pay for any well testing, despite a request from several Jefferson County homeowners who fear their drinking water may be contaminated.

The DNR issued five citations to Herr Environmental, Inc. of Oconomowoc, after investigators found them guilty of dumping up to three times the amount of human waste on its town of Concord property than is legally allowed under the company's permit.

DNR investigators deemed the violations severe enough to recommend Herr Environmental's case be turned over to the Department of Justice, but Stepp's executive assistant, former State Rep. Tim Gunderson, declined.

It was later revealed Gunderson had accepted $750 from Herr during one of his campaigns, but he said he did not recall that.

The homeowners, some of whom have property adjoining Herr's dumping location, had joined several Democratic state representatives in asking that Herr be required to pay for the well testing.