WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Department of Health Services officials have confirmed once again that dioxin levels in the soil of Riverside Park in Wausau do not pose an apparent public health hazard to residents or visitors.
That’s according to a letter sent to the city’s Public Works Director Eric Lindman on Friday, a copy of which was obtained by WSAU News over the weekend.
In the letter, DHS Toxicologist Clara Jeong says the findings from the latest round of soil testing, which was conducted this spring, the results were consistent with four previous analyses dating back to August 2018.
Despite that, the story of soil testing in the park may not be over. Two areas of the park near the base of the culvert did turn up elevated levels of dioxins and could warrant further investigation to determine the next course of action, according to Matt Thompson with the DNR.
He told Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Pat Peckham in an email that additional testing may be required near the culvert as part of an investigation to determine the next course of action for the area.
According to Thompson, the city would be required to determine the “lateral and vertical extent of soil contamination in the vicinity of [those test points,]” and then work with REI to conduct additional sampling as deemed necessary.
After the investigation, the city and REI can consider different options for remediating the site.
The next meeting of the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee is scheduled for July 6th. It’s unclear if the matter will be discussed at that time.
