Last city well in Campbell to be closed due to PFAS, after vote by La Crosse public works board

There’s just one public well remaining on La Crosse’s French Island, but not for much longer.

Well 26-H was taken offline after PFAS “forever” chemicals were found in the well water four years ago. The water contamination has been blamed on firefighting chemicals used for years at the La Crosse Regional Airport.

Monday, the city’s board of public works voted to remove the pipes and equipment from the well building near the airport.

The cost of $44,000 for abandoning the well would be paid from La Crosse city cash reserves.

Water superintendent Derek Greebon said the brick building will be converted to a storage garage for a life station on the site.

The city wells on French Island have all been shut down within the last few years, as residents there have also had their private wells contaminated. Campbell is considering alternative options, including connecting to the La Crosse water system or having the town build its own system.