Ashland Raising Funds to Build New Artesian Well

Wis DNR Findings Prompt Plans for New Artesian Well in Ashland

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has notified the City of Ashland that the popular Maslowski Beach artesian well will need to close by the fall of 2015.

The reason is that the casing around the well is not high enough above the ground to prevent possible contamination of the well.

According to Ashland’s Mayor, Deb Lewis, although the water is currently not contaminated, the well does not meet code and has high potential for contamination in the event of extreme weather events where water levels are high.

However, the DNR will allow the City of Ashland to drill a new well in the vicinity of the old one into the same underground aquifer.

The estimated cost of drilling a new well is $20,000, including the cost of constructing a new shelter around the well.

The estimated cost of capping the original well is about $2,000 to $4,000.

Lewis says, “The City of Ashland Police Department has stepped up and is heading up the fund raising effort to obtain the needed funds to replace the artesian well for the citizens of Ashland as well as the surrounding communities and travelers.

Officers of the Department recognize the importance of the well and the high quality water from the well and wanted to do what they could to help.

If you would like to make a donation towards the new well, please put a check, cash, or spare change into the strong box that will be installed at the current well location or give your donation to an Ashland Police Officer.”

You can make checks payable to City of Ashland Well Fund.

Lewis says officers will monitor and empty the strong box several times a day and will deposit the money into the City Well Account, to be used solely for this purpose.

The Maslowski Beach artesian well has been a community resource since the 1950’s.