It’s still not safe to drink water from the Town of Crescent water spring. According to a press release from the Oneida County Health Department, a second chlorination using slow-dissolving chlorine was completed at the spring, and additional water samples will be collected on Monday and Tuesday, July 13 and 14. Sample results will be available by Thursday. If the samples are bacteria negative, the postings will be removed. The boil water notice will continue until the postings are removed. Due to the slow-dissolving chlorine, residual chlorine levels are higher than normal, and therefore, the water should not be consumed, as noted on the postings.

One concern is the amount of garbage found around the spring area, including plastic bags with fish guts, paper, cigarette butts, aluminum cans, black garbage bags, etc. Much of this garbage is up-slope of the spring, where water is consistently pooled or ponded in the native soil. Water is continuously ponded due to the high volume of groundwater recharge in this general area. This up-slope water is hydraulically connected to the spring. Therefore, the Health department says it is absolutely imperative to maintain this area as clean as possible.

Use of this spring is made possible by the Town of Crescent. The Town of Crescent is responsible for a majority of the costs for upkeep and maintenance, using taxpayer dollars. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Oneida County Health Department assists the Town with sampling, consultation, etc. Each chlorination/disinfection of the spring box costs the Town, the Health Department, and the DNR substantial dollars. Continued lack of respect for this area could result in a complete discontinuance of use of the spring.

Users are urged to be vigilant in maintaining this area as cleanly as possible.