This is a great tasting cold spring inside of Petrifying Springs Park in Kenosha, WI. There are still remnants of an old stone structure downhill from the source that used to collect the water as it flowed down the hill, there is a nice meditation rock right there waiting for you. Follow the flowing water up the hill until you reach a long metal pipe which leads up to the source. This is the best tasting water I have ever had, extremely hydrating and very cold. Nearby in the park there is the reconstruction of the old well house with an artesian well that works. The water from the well smells like it has a high sulfur count although the water from the spring does not have an odor.
Well…I guess everyone who said they were going to test the water died…not from the water, but from the enormous guilt of saying they were going to test it and never did.
Let that be a warning to everyone who says they’re going to test this water and never do. See you at the untested spring….goodbye and good day. I said, “Good Day!”
Tried to check out this spring on Feb 19, 2024. No luck. It is a warmer day but maybe the pipe was frozen. We think we found the spot by following others directions on here. But not enough flowing water to try it. Just a few drops and lots of ice. Hopefully we will try again when it is spring.
Parked in the back corner of parking area 4 and climbed the steep muddy hill. There are stairs in the other corner I had not noticed. I took a left and walked by a wooden bridge. Small hole in the fence by a pipe sticking out of the hill. Pipe looked pretty sketchy, and the water tastes fine but has a yellowish tinge to it. The well house water is a lot clearer looking, but the water has a sulfury taste. Just taste tested both for now, might test the water first before drinking more.
I just went there today, and the water is great! Again, thanks to Mike for the great post! It’s maybe 200-300ft from where the picture above was taken. You go straight from the bridge, up a hill til you find the hole in the pipe. You can definitely carry your 5gl jugs, but you might have to bring them down one at a time, it’s a little steep and the ground is kind of wet/ soft. It’s about 3/4 up the hill. I made it down with two 2.5gl and a backpack with another 2gls in it, so you should be fine. Enjoy!!!
Has anyone gotten water from here recently? Do you go to the little house by the dog park to get the spring water? As I read the older comments they talk of going up a hill to get it. Are both places the same water?
I went to find the pipe at the top of the hill, but it was not there. The park has gone under water mitigation recently for conservation efforts if Pike River. The artesian well is there and very easy to access from parking lot by the dog park.
that house near the front entrance/ 1st parking lot is the well water which has a high sulfur count. It may be an artisian well but I’m unsure. This water is fantastic. If you go further down the road you will see pavillion type shelters with many grills and benches for large events and a parking lot to the right, which is across the street from a bridge. Park there and carry your jugs across the bridge which has a beautiful view of the river. The scenery here is amazing and very calming. Keep going when you’ve taken in the sights and you will notice a trail which leads up to a hill. Be careful climbing up because it’s muddy due to the running water. There’s a large pipe which is on the ground running downhill. This is the PUREST water I’ve ever tasted. It’s cold even in the hot of the summer. It flows 24/7. I didn’t know water until I drank this. I did NOT test it for contamination and I really should because I want more!
Went there today. We confused the well with the spring. We got well water! Theres no sign or anything. How is anyone supposed to know that the spring is up on a muddy steep hill?
Would LOVE to talk to someone that has more knowledge about this spring. We saw it here and have gone 4 or 5 times now. The water is cold and fabulous tasting HOWEVER I wanted to do a little further research just to make sure it was safe for drinking and see if it was a real spring. I called the Kenosha County Park District and they said the well (that is mentioned above) is safe for drinking and that people have been drinking from it for over 75 years. But the location that we have been drinking from that is supposed to be a spring (the place up the hill to the pipe) she told me do not drink from there! She said there is no longer a spring and that the water coming from that pipe is run off. Does Mike Giarelli or anyone have information to contradict this? I am really hoping it is a spring because like I said it is FABULOUS tasting water and the high sulfur well at the park doesn’t sound appealing to me…
I have never found out. I wish Mike would respond or someone hat has a way to test the water. I really miss it, even the kids have asked when we can go again. The water tastes so incredible I just wish I had confirmation that it is a spring/safe….
i was there recently (6.17.11) and the water is beautiful
dont know if i would drink it all the time due to high TDS but met a couple that said they have been drinking it for over 40 years and they both felt great:)
Tim.
I am a former resident of Racine, WI. When I lived in Racine some 20 odd years ago, I would make weekly trips to the Springs. I loved the water and never had a problem with it. I am glad to know that people are still able to drink from it. I hope to be back that way again soon. For now I reside in the land of 10,000 lakes (Most of the lakes look like ponds to me because I am accustomed to looking at Great Lake Michigan). I have been forced to buy bottled water. I do not like the disinfectants by-products in the tap water. Hoping things will change soon.
Did somebody tested this water for other than ph?The reason I’m asking is that when I pour into a glass I see tons of tiny particles floating,and then after a few minutes there some green stuff on the bottom of the glass.
I grew up with spring water up until 10 years ago (grandma has 2 wells and my parents have a spring just outside their building) but I don’t remember that water having this green thing in it.
I have a 20 month old boy so I just want to make sure this water is safe ( I know it is probably safer then bottle water).
Thank you.
Yes, this is wonderful water! The bridge that leads directly to the spring is on the left hand side right before parking lot 4. As mentioned before, do wear good shoes as there is a small hill there (which becomes ever-more challenging with snow when carrying 5 gallon jugs). Glass carboys would not be a good idea if its rainy or snowy, it becomes dangerous at that point. There is a hole dug out beside the water leaking pipe just big enough for 5 gallon jugs.
The spring is open when the park is open, though you can access it from outside the park if you have someone in the car with you (it is right next to a no parking sign). Spring water will never freeze, it flows year round.
I just went to this spring yesterday and it was very easy to find (once you navigate through the park). The sign is clearly labeled and visible from the road. About 300ft to a hill, and half way up the hill you can clearly see a pipe leaking water.
The water is very good and clean. I carried a 5g container and was able to fill it fairly easily. Because the pipe is low to the ground, you can’t just put a 5g just under it to collect it (make sure to get the water as it comes directly out of the pipe).
I live in Chicago and it’s about a 1 1/2 hour drive one way. 5g is not enough as I’m already half way through it a day later. I would recommend 5g or more if you are making a trip only every couple weeks or month.
I had a spiritual experience today at this spring. The water is phenomenal. I want to thank Mike G and Daniel V. for the information and allowing me to access this amazing spring. Thank you, Derek
Is it feasible to carry 5 or 2×5 gal Jugs to get watter from this well? And did anybody actually drink this water? I am interested in coming up but we have a small baby, so its a family event. It would be a nice family trip (water or no water), but just interested if this is a good location to get water from on regular basis (we live in Northern Illinois / Chicago Area)
Thank You for Posting this location and a nice write up Mike!
I am interested in going to this Spring from Chicago. If you or anyone else (still) go and are interested in a ride share, please reply back. I can go on the weekends and I have a car also – just looking to cut down on the cost of getting out there.. Thanks!
You can also carry your carboy up to the road and swing around to pick it up, that’s what my wife Jenny and I do when we go. The water has a PH of 8.0 and a TDS reading of 272. We have been drinking only water from this spring since early summer and we love it. Enjoy!
Mike the park district says there is no longer a well at this site and that the pipe is just run off. See my other comments below. This water is so incredible tasting would really love to start drinking again but am worried whether it is safe. Is that water from the leaking pipe from a spring?
Let me start by saying I know nothing about the science of “run off” water….but because I know the spring/pipe is flowing all year round I want to say it has to be a spring, no? From my understanding I don’t know how it could be continuously flowing, even in the dead of winter, if it were just run off. Fingers crossed!
Runoff water isn’t 40 degrees, so anything that cold is pretty much a natural bubbling spring (so the one on the hill is a natural artesian bubbling spring, which may just be combining with a little runoff, or “running off” of itself from a higher source point — there’s no real reason for that much runoff to be right there, it’s partly to mostly a bubbling spring obviously). But TDS at the hillside spring measured 449 today (that’s really high). Good for drinking in short bouts (not permanently). Probably better for bathing or gardening etc. If you ever go to Madison, make the extra hour drive north to Rock Springs (100 TDS).
My family and I just visited this spring today. We plan on testing the water soon. But I does taste amazing! It was actually fairly easy to find once we read all the comments on it’s location. Go to parking lot 4, take the Indian Springs trail across a bridge then turn to your left and up that hill is the pipe. The hill is very steep and very slick so use caution when you go up it.
Just a tip:
If you’re not in excellent physical condition, I don’t recommend trying to fill up your 5-gallon carboys from this spring – it’s on a steep, muddy hill. Maybe I’m just spoiled from going to Hyegia Spring, which is literally on the side of the road. Either way, it’s not very practical.
That said, the water here is absolutely delicious!
Even better than Hyegia Spring, if you can imagine.
There are a couple of wooden bridges, so make sure you’re at the Indian Springs Trail bridge. If you can’t locate the spring in a minute or two, you used the wrong bridge 🙂
My son and I went up there yesterday and it was truly beautiful. I had a little trouble finding the spring because it does totally look like a runoff pipe. I tried it and it tasted amazing…my son thought I had officially gone crazy, of course. LOL. I am going to get a TDS testing kit and go back up there next week to confirm and will report back my results. The house towards the entrance with the dog park is great as well and I plan on testing both sources. A great day trip with lots of walking trails, playgrounds and open spaces. Should be gorgeous in the coming weeks/month as well!
I just went out here this afternoon. (March 7th. 2016) – I found this old, 3 inch steel pipe running down the slippery, muddy hill right between the Indian Springs Trail wooden bridge and Hwy J in the woods. I’ve been a Kenosha resident for 51 years now. My grandparents and great grandparents used to always fill the old glass gallon jugs from the Artesian well at the entrance of the park in the little brick structure years ago, when everyone did it. The Artesian well is the only source anyone has ever heard of. I never knew about this OTHER supposed underground “spring” until now. I filled up a clear, clean, glass, old, empty, spring water bottle up with this water that was just simply gushing out of this old steel pipe on the muddy hill that everyone is talking about. It looks clean, clear, no mineral smell to it and I put a pH test strip paper to it and it read almost 8. I can see why most people in the Racine/Kenosha area would never know about this thing. it totally looks like some old storm/rainwater run-off kind of pipe. Which is also why the not-too-knowledgeable Kenosha County Parks Dept. employees think it’s just ground “run-off” too. I suspect nobody knows anything about this thing, or much its history. (“Petrifying Springs Park”?)……It’s not easily findable or visible. What I would like to know is the actual history of this thing, how old is it? WHO tapped into it? ……how deep this pipe goes into the ground?….. the possible SOURCE of this spring, if it truly IS a subterranean “spring” (underground river) and I’d like to have the TDS, turbidity, magnesium, phosphates, sulfur, lead, mercury, arsenic, chemical contaminates checked, etc…..to see if there is anything bad in it. From what I can tell, just by looking at it, this truly IS real spring water. I’m not going to drink it however, until I have it independently tested at a legitimate laboratory. If this stuff comes back totally legit, I am going to load-up every empty glass jug I can find with this stuff. FREE SPRING WATER. I will be back, people. To be continued………Joe P.
I too would like to know if the water is runoff or spring water, and if it has been tested recently. I live nearby and would love to use the spring water.
FYI Just called department of public works and what seemed like a very knowledgeable person said he wouldn’t drink the water uphill from the pipe.
As far as he knows it’s just a pipe stuck into the hill for runoff, and they let the water flow for aesthetics.
Water from the pump/well is supposed to be fine.
Has anybody had the water from the pipe up the hill tested?
Visited the Petrifying Springs Park which is a county park on September 14, 2013.
There is a Petrifying Springs Golf Course on the same road and if you come to it you’ve gone too far. This is a lovely park area with many picnic shelters. There are no signs directing you to the spring so it’s a little hard to find. We had to ask several local people in the park before we found it. There is a bubbler site near parking area 4. You have to walk a ways over a little bridge to get to it. Just a little further down the main road through the park just over a bridge there is a little stone well house right next to a parking area. The well house has a faucet which makes it really easy to collect the water in containers. There is slight and I emphasize slight sulpher smell when running the water but it tastes fabulous and is very cold. Exceptionally clear compared to your tap water. I would go there again. Wish it was closer.
I have been going there for over a year and have been getting the water from the pump house, as I did not know there was another source. I been enjoying the water, very refreshing and no fluoride…
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
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Indian Springs @ Petrifying Springs Park, Kenosha, WI
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Well…I guess everyone who said they were going to test the water died…not from the water, but from the enormous guilt of saying they were going to test it and never did.
Let that be a warning to everyone who says they’re going to test this water and never do. See you at the untested spring….goodbye and good day. I said, “Good Day!”
I did test the water with a testing kit from Home Depot the water is safe to drink!
Tried to check out this spring on Feb 19, 2024. No luck. It is a warmer day but maybe the pipe was frozen. We think we found the spot by following others directions on here. But not enough flowing water to try it. Just a few drops and lots of ice. Hopefully we will try again when it is spring.
Parked in the back corner of parking area 4 and climbed the steep muddy hill. There are stairs in the other corner I had not noticed. I took a left and walked by a wooden bridge. Small hole in the fence by a pipe sticking out of the hill. Pipe looked pretty sketchy, and the water tastes fine but has a yellowish tinge to it. The well house water is a lot clearer looking, but the water has a sulfury taste. Just taste tested both for now, might test the water first before drinking more.
Hey! Did you get test results back from the pipe well? I’ve had the water from the well house, but dislike the sulfur taste to it.
I just went there today, and the water is great! Again, thanks to Mike for the great post! It’s maybe 200-300ft from where the picture above was taken. You go straight from the bridge, up a hill til you find the hole in the pipe. You can definitely carry your 5gl jugs, but you might have to bring them down one at a time, it’s a little steep and the ground is kind of wet/ soft. It’s about 3/4 up the hill. I made it down with two 2.5gl and a backpack with another 2gls in it, so you should be fine. Enjoy!!!
Has anyone gotten water from here recently? Do you go to the little house by the dog park to get the spring water? As I read the older comments they talk of going up a hill to get it. Are both places the same water?
I went to find the pipe at the top of the hill, but it was not there. The park has gone under water mitigation recently for conservation efforts if Pike River. The artesian well is there and very easy to access from parking lot by the dog park.
anybody been here recently with all the revamps going on? can anybody confirm the pipe/run-off issue??
there is now a pump house there is that the spring water or well water?
that house near the front entrance/ 1st parking lot is the well water which has a high sulfur count. It may be an artisian well but I’m unsure. This water is fantastic. If you go further down the road you will see pavillion type shelters with many grills and benches for large events and a parking lot to the right, which is across the street from a bridge. Park there and carry your jugs across the bridge which has a beautiful view of the river. The scenery here is amazing and very calming. Keep going when you’ve taken in the sights and you will notice a trail which leads up to a hill. Be careful climbing up because it’s muddy due to the running water. There’s a large pipe which is on the ground running downhill. This is the PUREST water I’ve ever tasted. It’s cold even in the hot of the summer. It flows 24/7. I didn’t know water until I drank this. I did NOT test it for contamination and I really should because I want more!
This may seem unbelievably stupid to some of you, but are you saposted to purify the water before you drink it?
Went there today. We confused the well with the spring. We got well water! Theres no sign or anything. How is anyone supposed to know that the spring is up on a muddy steep hill?
Would LOVE to talk to someone that has more knowledge about this spring. We saw it here and have gone 4 or 5 times now. The water is cold and fabulous tasting HOWEVER I wanted to do a little further research just to make sure it was safe for drinking and see if it was a real spring. I called the Kenosha County Park District and they said the well (that is mentioned above) is safe for drinking and that people have been drinking from it for over 75 years. But the location that we have been drinking from that is supposed to be a spring (the place up the hill to the pipe) she told me do not drink from there! She said there is no longer a spring and that the water coming from that pipe is run off. Does Mike Giarelli or anyone have information to contradict this? I am really hoping it is a spring because like I said it is FABULOUS tasting water and the high sulfur well at the park doesn’t sound appealing to me…
Hey Dawna did you ever find out if this is spring vs. run off? This water tastes great, I agree!
I have never found out. I wish Mike would respond or someone hat has a way to test the water. I really miss it, even the kids have asked when we can go again. The water tastes so incredible I just wish I had confirmation that it is a spring/safe….
Why does the water here leave a white residue? I can also see a whitish powder when I cook it. What is it? I thought the TDS was lower in this spring?
i was there recently (6.17.11) and the water is beautiful
dont know if i would drink it all the time due to high TDS but met a couple that said they have been drinking it for over 40 years and they both felt great:)
Tim.
I am a former resident of Racine, WI. When I lived in Racine some 20 odd years ago, I would make weekly trips to the Springs. I loved the water and never had a problem with it. I am glad to know that people are still able to drink from it. I hope to be back that way again soon. For now I reside in the land of 10,000 lakes (Most of the lakes look like ponds to me because I am accustomed to looking at Great Lake Michigan). I have been forced to buy bottled water. I do not like the disinfectants by-products in the tap water. Hoping things will change soon.
Did somebody tested this water for other than ph?The reason I’m asking is that when I pour into a glass I see tons of tiny particles floating,and then after a few minutes there some green stuff on the bottom of the glass.
I grew up with spring water up until 10 years ago (grandma has 2 wells and my parents have a spring just outside their building) but I don’t remember that water having this green thing in it.
I have a 20 month old boy so I just want to make sure this water is safe ( I know it is probably safer then bottle water).
Thank you.
I checked the TDS and it read 353. I have been drinking it for the past few months now and Im happy with it.
Yes, this is wonderful water! The bridge that leads directly to the spring is on the left hand side right before parking lot 4. As mentioned before, do wear good shoes as there is a small hill there (which becomes ever-more challenging with snow when carrying 5 gallon jugs). Glass carboys would not be a good idea if its rainy or snowy, it becomes dangerous at that point. There is a hole dug out beside the water leaking pipe just big enough for 5 gallon jugs.
Anyone know if this spring is open year round? And does it freeze up? Thanks!
The spring is open when the park is open, though you can access it from outside the park if you have someone in the car with you (it is right next to a no parking sign). Spring water will never freeze, it flows year round.
I just went to this spring yesterday and it was very easy to find (once you navigate through the park). The sign is clearly labeled and visible from the road. About 300ft to a hill, and half way up the hill you can clearly see a pipe leaking water.
The water is very good and clean. I carried a 5g container and was able to fill it fairly easily. Because the pipe is low to the ground, you can’t just put a 5g just under it to collect it (make sure to get the water as it comes directly out of the pipe).
I live in Chicago and it’s about a 1 1/2 hour drive one way. 5g is not enough as I’m already half way through it a day later. I would recommend 5g or more if you are making a trip only every couple weeks or month.
I had a spiritual experience today at this spring. The water is phenomenal. I want to thank Mike G and Daniel V. for the information and allowing me to access this amazing spring. Thank you, Derek
Is it feasible to carry 5 or 2×5 gal Jugs to get watter from this well? And did anybody actually drink this water? I am interested in coming up but we have a small baby, so its a family event. It would be a nice family trip (water or no water), but just interested if this is a good location to get water from on regular basis (we live in Northern Illinois / Chicago Area)
Thank You for Posting this location and a nice write up Mike!
I am interested in going to this Spring from Chicago. If you or anyone else (still) go and are interested in a ride share, please reply back. I can go on the weekends and I have a car also – just looking to cut down on the cost of getting out there.. Thanks!
I’m heading there this week if you’d like to come along. I’m leaving from Rogers Park.
You can also carry your carboy up to the road and swing around to pick it up, that’s what my wife Jenny and I do when we go. The water has a PH of 8.0 and a TDS reading of 272. We have been drinking only water from this spring since early summer and we love it. Enjoy!
PH: 8.0
Update: TDS 272
Mike the park district says there is no longer a well at this site and that the pipe is just run off. See my other comments below. This water is so incredible tasting would really love to start drinking again but am worried whether it is safe. Is that water from the leaking pipe from a spring?
I meant to say no longer a “spring” not a well.
Let me start by saying I know nothing about the science of “run off” water….but because I know the spring/pipe is flowing all year round I want to say it has to be a spring, no? From my understanding I don’t know how it could be continuously flowing, even in the dead of winter, if it were just run off. Fingers crossed!
Runoff water isn’t 40 degrees, so anything that cold is pretty much a natural bubbling spring (so the one on the hill is a natural artesian bubbling spring, which may just be combining with a little runoff, or “running off” of itself from a higher source point — there’s no real reason for that much runoff to be right there, it’s partly to mostly a bubbling spring obviously). But TDS at the hillside spring measured 449 today (that’s really high). Good for drinking in short bouts (not permanently). Probably better for bathing or gardening etc. If you ever go to Madison, make the extra hour drive north to Rock Springs (100 TDS).
My family and I just visited this spring today. We plan on testing the water soon. But I does taste amazing! It was actually fairly easy to find once we read all the comments on it’s location. Go to parking lot 4, take the Indian Springs trail across a bridge then turn to your left and up that hill is the pipe. The hill is very steep and very slick so use caution when you go up it.
Just a tip:
If you’re not in excellent physical condition, I don’t recommend trying to fill up your 5-gallon carboys from this spring – it’s on a steep, muddy hill. Maybe I’m just spoiled from going to Hyegia Spring, which is literally on the side of the road. Either way, it’s not very practical.
That said, the water here is absolutely delicious!
Even better than Hyegia Spring, if you can imagine.
There are a couple of wooden bridges, so make sure you’re at the Indian Springs Trail bridge. If you can’t locate the spring in a minute or two, you used the wrong bridge 🙂
Any updates Molly and Joe P ?
My son and I went up there yesterday and it was truly beautiful. I had a little trouble finding the spring because it does totally look like a runoff pipe. I tried it and it tasted amazing…my son thought I had officially gone crazy, of course. LOL. I am going to get a TDS testing kit and go back up there next week to confirm and will report back my results. The house towards the entrance with the dog park is great as well and I plan on testing both sources. A great day trip with lots of walking trails, playgrounds and open spaces. Should be gorgeous in the coming weeks/month as well!
Kindly requesting your results. Thank you.
Looking forward to the results Joseph. I live more than an hour away and this spring is the only one that looks promising so far.
I just went out here this afternoon. (March 7th. 2016) – I found this old, 3 inch steel pipe running down the slippery, muddy hill right between the Indian Springs Trail wooden bridge and Hwy J in the woods. I’ve been a Kenosha resident for 51 years now. My grandparents and great grandparents used to always fill the old glass gallon jugs from the Artesian well at the entrance of the park in the little brick structure years ago, when everyone did it. The Artesian well is the only source anyone has ever heard of. I never knew about this OTHER supposed underground “spring” until now. I filled up a clear, clean, glass, old, empty, spring water bottle up with this water that was just simply gushing out of this old steel pipe on the muddy hill that everyone is talking about. It looks clean, clear, no mineral smell to it and I put a pH test strip paper to it and it read almost 8. I can see why most people in the Racine/Kenosha area would never know about this thing. it totally looks like some old storm/rainwater run-off kind of pipe. Which is also why the not-too-knowledgeable Kenosha County Parks Dept. employees think it’s just ground “run-off” too. I suspect nobody knows anything about this thing, or much its history. (“Petrifying Springs Park”?)……It’s not easily findable or visible. What I would like to know is the actual history of this thing, how old is it? WHO tapped into it? ……how deep this pipe goes into the ground?….. the possible SOURCE of this spring, if it truly IS a subterranean “spring” (underground river) and I’d like to have the TDS, turbidity, magnesium, phosphates, sulfur, lead, mercury, arsenic, chemical contaminates checked, etc…..to see if there is anything bad in it. From what I can tell, just by looking at it, this truly IS real spring water. I’m not going to drink it however, until I have it independently tested at a legitimate laboratory. If this stuff comes back totally legit, I am going to load-up every empty glass jug I can find with this stuff. FREE SPRING WATER. I will be back, people. To be continued………Joe P.
Please, provide your results.
Have you got the test results?
I too would like to know if the water is runoff or spring water, and if it has been tested recently. I live nearby and would love to use the spring water.
FYI Just called department of public works and what seemed like a very knowledgeable person said he wouldn’t drink the water uphill from the pipe.
As far as he knows it’s just a pipe stuck into the hill for runoff, and they let the water flow for aesthetics.
Water from the pump/well is supposed to be fine.
Has anybody had the water from the pipe up the hill tested?
Has anyone actually taken a sample of the spring water to a lab to have it tested for contamination?
The pipe on the hill is the spring water…the well is in the building and you can definitely taste the difference
Any confirmation on which is the spring? The pipe on the hill vs the pump with sulfuric water?
Visited the Petrifying Springs Park which is a county park on September 14, 2013.
There is a Petrifying Springs Golf Course on the same road and if you come to it you’ve gone too far. This is a lovely park area with many picnic shelters. There are no signs directing you to the spring so it’s a little hard to find. We had to ask several local people in the park before we found it. There is a bubbler site near parking area 4. You have to walk a ways over a little bridge to get to it. Just a little further down the main road through the park just over a bridge there is a little stone well house right next to a parking area. The well house has a faucet which makes it really easy to collect the water in containers. There is slight and I emphasize slight sulpher smell when running the water but it tastes fabulous and is very cold. Exceptionally clear compared to your tap water. I would go there again. Wish it was closer.
is this spring still flowing? is the water clean?
I have been going there for over a year and have been getting the water from the pump house, as I did not know there was another source. I been enjoying the water, very refreshing and no fluoride…