The Sanitary District around Crystal Lake was created in 1966 because of the high nutrient load (pollution), subsequent excessive weed growth, restricted navigation, and concerns for the health and safety of all users of Crystal Lake. By the mid 1970’s residential, commercial, and institutional properties were connected to the new sewer collection system which completely encompasses Crystal Lake as well as much of the surrounding watershed to Crystal Lake. Later Camp Evelyn was added. Weekly garbage collection service was also added.

In 1996 the Wisconsin state legislature enacted special provisions, relating to sanitary districts which include public inland lakes, that granted the Sanitary District Board of Commissioners the ability to also function as an inland lake protection and rehabilitation board.  In 2006 the Sanitary District, by resolution, adopted the additional role of the board of an Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District.

There are more than 225 families and 3 commercial users hooked up to the system at this time. The 2006 assessed value of taxable property within the District was over $81 million dollars. Two tax exempt facilities owned by the Girl Scouts, including Camp Evelyn, are part of the district. All of the property with frontage on Crystal Lake, and which contains most of the District’s assets and works is zoned R-1 or R-3 residential. The present system contains 5.7 miles of gravity and force main piping, 6 lift stations, and 33 grinder pump lift stations. The annual operating budget of the district exceeds $125,000 per year.

For many years the Sanitary District’s work, performed by appointed commissioners, consisted of maintaining the main mechanical components of the collection system, some funding of weed control projects, financial management, and participation on the commission of the Northern Moraine Utility filtration plant.

In the Spring of 2003 the residents of the Sanitary District decided to elect their commissioners rather than have them be appointed by the Town of Rhine Board. A subsequent election for one Commissioner, whose first 2 year term had expired, took place in the Spring of 2005.

Since being elected in 2003 the new Commission has additionally taken a broad and active position in the assessment & updating of the entire collection system and the internal operations of the Sanitary District. The commission also has a renewed interest in other issues that directly affect Crystal Lake.

For example:

· The entire collection system drawings and specifications have been mapped and computerized. This mapping is integrated with Sheboygan County’s computerized information. This has added accuracy, ease in updating, many other efficiencies in daily functions, and preserved this vital and necessary information for the future.

 

· For the first time the entire collection system has been surveyed with internal cameras. This information has been preserved for study and comparison in future periods. As a result of this project several serious conditions were revealed and repaired.

 

· A 5 year program of replacing the 33 grinder pumps, and their electric controls, was started as most of the pumps were at least 25 years old. This is about a $150,000 undertaking which is 2/3 complete.

 

· The District’s accounting, billing, customer information data and other internal functions are now computerized. The District maintains a telephone hotline, email, and website. The website is has increased communication and service tremendously between the District and its members.

 

· Reduced the total tax levy

 

· Retired the total debt of the District.

 

· In 2003 The Sanitary District Commission undertook the project of addressing additional needs brought about by a trend toward declining lake levels. Included in the project budget are  well construction if required, engineering, site preparation and restoration,  engineering reports of outlet options, possible dredging, and other lake water level management plans and issues, permits, water testing fees, legal fees, and any other items deemed necessary by the Commission.

 

· In 2006  the District spent almost $2500  in efforts to eradicate invasive plants from Crystal Lake. 

          The District has achieved the highest rating possible by the DNR for financial and operational performance for 2005.