EDITORIAL: Cold Spring-less Harbor

Who took the spring out of Cold Spring Harbor?

A group calling itself "Turn on the Water" has petitioned the Huntington Town Board to reverse the decision to shut off access to spring waters that folks have been sampling since the Matinecock Indians named the area Wawapex, the "good little water place."

The town acted after it got a letter from Suffolk County's Health Department, warning about the water quality of the popular spring near the harbor. County health officials cited one test of the spring, showing traces of chemicals exceeding state and federal standards. But fans of the spring cited tests of their own showing no hazards.

Officials are rightly worried about violations of county standards barring public use of unregulated spring waters. Assuring water safety is an important responsibility.

In the past, the town and county let spring waters flow as long as signs warned the public about hazards. Perhaps the town could now safely tap the spring, and periodically test it - posting the results and warnings about the risks of drinking from it. Another option: Install public water fountains using tap water on state parkland nearby.

Maybe Cold Spring Harbor is overlooking a big tourist attraction. Think of Saratoga Springs. There must be a safe way to satisfy those persistent visitors who travel miles to these frosty and now-forbidden springs. For them, hope springs eternal. hN