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groundwater recharge. The abstract for this study also cites: "The presence of relatively undiluted contaminant plumes 30 meters downgradient of septic systems makes it extremely important to be certain private wells are not located in a groundwater flow path from drainfields, or that they are of sufficient depth to avoid the contaminant plume." The private well on the Froelich lot is unlikely to avoid contaminant from any proposed septic system on the Esser half-acre lot. Groundwater is present only a few feet below the soil surface on the Froelich lot; a sump pump is needed to keep the basement dry. Moreover, the Froelich lot is located on a pronounced downslope gradient relative to the Esser lot, and there is insufficient space on the Esser lot to redirect any contaminant plume. This factor of high density unsewered developments causing groundwater problems such as cross-pollution between septics and waterwells, has been publicized in the case of the well-known and expensive Cherrywood subdivision off Swoboda Road in the Town of Middleton; projections have been made that these problems may necessitate expensive construction of a sewer system with a linkup to the west side of Madison. The fact that a percolation test may have been successfully performed on the Esser half-acre site is irrelevant in the face of the considerations cited above. Percolation tests are done solely to ascertain whether wastewater will percolate through the soil, not whether infiltrants will pollute groundwater. Public policymakers with influence or control over land use practices cannot undo the practices of the past which frequently led to misuses such as high density unsewered residential development, mostly because of ignorance or apathy in connection with environmental impacts; but there is no reason to extend these harmful practices by adding more unsewered houses without regard to lot size. The present land use plan of the Town of Cross Plains, which has rarely been updated, does in fact permit residences to be built on half-acre lots without consideration of other factors. Our land use plan can and will be revised in this regard. Meanwhile, ZNR should exercize its own discretion to uphold countywide standards. In current land use review and administration, issuance of a rezoning request is frequently the equivalent of issuing a conditional use permit. In Chapter 10 of the Dane County Code of Ordinances, dealing with zoning, subsection 10.255 (1) (h) states: "No application for a conditional use shall be granted by the zoning committee unless such committee shall find that all of the following conditions are present. 1. That the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the conditional use will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, comfort or general welfare. 2. That the uses, values and enjoyment of other property in the neighborhood for purposes already permitted shall be in no foreseeable manner substantially impaired or diminished by establishment, maintenance or operation of the conditional use."