A June 2025 wedding in York County, Pennsylvania, turned into a public health incident after roughly 80 guests were served untreated water from an on-site spring. At least one attendee tested positive for campylobacteriosis, and more than 20 others reported similar gastrointestinal symptoms — accounting for about a quarter of all guests.

Investigators found that the venue's UV water treatment unit had been non-functional for at least two months before the event, and the springhouse's broken roof allowed debris and animal feces to contaminate the water supply. The spring sat near a chicken coop and horse enclosure, though the exact source of fecal contamination couldn't be pinpointed. When bottled water ran out, guests were served the untreated spring water — which was also used in food preparation.

By the Numbers:

• ~80 guests attended the wedding
• 20+ attendees reported gastrointestinal symptoms
• ~25% of attendees fell ill
• Campylobacter causes ~1.9 million infections in the U.S. annually
• The UV treatment unit had been broken for at least 2 months prior to the event

Why it matters: Private springs are largely unregulated in the U.S., and users often assume the water is safe when no visible contamination is present. This outbreak highlights the need for routine inspection and maintenance of private water sources at public venues — and serves as a reminder that infrastructure failures can have serious health consequences.