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 2009 assessed value of taxable property within the District was over $99 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 $200,000 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.  Since being elected in 2003 the Commission has taken a broad and active position in the assessment & updating of the entire collection system and the internal operations of the Sanitary District.

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 program of replacing the 33 grinder pumps, and their electric controls, was started as most of that equipment was at least 25 years old. This $150,000 undertaking is almost complete.

   

  · The District’s accounting, billing, customer information data and other internal functions are 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, prior to 2010, of the District.

   

  · In 2010  the District will spend about $13,000  in efforts to eradicate invasive plants from Crystal Lake. 

                    . Earns, yearly, the highest rating possible by the WDNR for compliance, financial, and operational performance.

                    . In 2010 the 35 year old Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant was upgraded.

                    . The District borrowed $265,000 to help finance it's 14.5% share of the upgrade costs to the Treatment Plant.