The Morning Mail

WATER QUALITY

Slinger expansion plan questioned

It has come to our attention that the Village of Slinger has asked the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for permission to “improve” the village’s wastewater treatment facilities at a cost of $10.3 million. According to a Journal Sentinel article on June 21, 2007, the “improvements” are needed to handle growth in Slinger and to ensure that the treatment plant continues to meet requirements for discharge into a tributary of the Rubicon River.

In all reality, the Slinger wastewater treatment plant is located at the headwaters of the Rubicon River. This portion of the Rubicon River flows directly into Pike Lake.

The Pike Lake Protection District has been concerned with the discharge of so-called treated water from the plant into the river. In fact, the original permit issued by DNR to Slinger for the construction of the plant required that the discharge of excess water would be into a wetland/marsh area adjacent to the Rubicon River. Because of a constant discharge of water, a full size stream has been created and is part of the Rubicon.

The district is also concerned with the increased flow of discharged water, as I am sure an “expanded” treatment facility would create, even if Slinger officials said that they do not exceed state limits for discharged treated wastewater.

Slinger states that its plant needs “improvements.” The district feels that this is just its way of “expansion” of its plant, which in turn will “expand” the volume of discharged water, thereby doubling the volume of pollutants into the Rubicon River and Pike Lake.

In this regard, the DNR has considered upgrading the Rubicon’s fishery/wildlife classification to a higher standard. Has this been done and what was the determination?

During the past 10 years, the Pike Lake Protection District has funded several projects at a cost exceeding $200,000 to improve Pike Lake’s water quality. Our biggest concern, which affects both Pike Lake and the Rubicon River and its water quality, is phosphorus and heavy metals, among a host of other pollutants. Should the “improvements” (expansion) be approved by DNR, we will see a further degradation of both the lake and river.

With the Department of Natural Resources being a riparian owner of almost 50% of the shoreline of Pike Lake (Pike Lake State Park), your concerns regarding one of the state’s best natural resources and its water quality – and ability to be enjoyed by all people – should remain high on your list.

The district has also received information that during discussions among the DNR, the Village of Slinger and City of Hartford – prior to DNR approval of the Slinger plant – recommendations were made that Slinger use Hartford’s facility as it would be less costly and avoid direct discharging into the headwaters of a river. If this was the case, could the “expansion” to the Hartford plant be done at this time?

Please give serious consideration of the district’s concerns.

Stanley M. Blawas

Chairman

Pike Lake Protection

and Rehabilitation District

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