Wisconsin City Closes And Then Re-Opens Popular Fountain That Is Not Treated and Sanitized To Public With Lot's of Warning Signs
City officials in Neenah, WS this week restarted a popular fountain in Shattuck Park, but at the same time imposed tougher rules to prohibit kids from playing in it.
According to the local Post-Crescent newspaper, here's what happened:
The city posted signs July 22 warning people to stay out of the Shattuck fountain for health and safety reasons and then shut down the fountain indefinitely later that day after park visitors defiantly ignored the signs.
The water in the fountain is not treated and sanitized to the same degree as drinking water or swimming pool water, and officials are concerned with the risks associated with waterborne pathogens like cryptosporidium and giardia.
Eileen McCoy, director of parks and recreation, said additional warning signs were posted Tuesday to emphasize the change in policy.
"It is going to be more in your face," McCoy said of the additional signs. "We will see if that is more effective."
Neenah officials billed the fountain as an interactive water feature when it was built in 2005.
The sudden turnabout stemmed from a better understanding of how people were using the fountain and of how waterborne illnesses can spread.
Neenah is putting $45,000 in its 2010 budget for ultraviolet lighting systems for fountains at both Shattuck and Riverside parks.
The city is taking the steps to maintain its recreational immunity under Wisconsin law.
