PROJECT DESCRIPTION & PLANNING AREA

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND ESTABLISHMENT
Currently various types of individual on-site systems are used to treat and dispose of wastewater in the greater Woods Bay area. Many of these systems are aging, failing, and non-compliant septic systems. Flathead Lake water quality, as well as health and environmental hazards resulting from increasing nitrate levels in the community’s drinking water wells prompted investigation of new public (community) wastewater collection and treatment facilities.

In 2004 and 2005 a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) was prepared addressing community wastewater service for the two existing water and sewer districts in the area, Woods Bay Homesites Lake County Water and Sewer District and Sheaver’s Creek Water and Sewer District. Woods Bay Homesites Lake County Water and Sewer District was formed in August of 2002 and currently provides water service to approximately 99 residents, and Sheaver’s Creek Water and Sewer District was incorporated in the Spring of 2000 and currently provides water service to approximately 130 users. During the development of the 2005 PER residents of the surrounding Woods Bay neighborhoods (including Ridgewood, Yenne Point, Romain Estates, White Cap Lane, Community Lane, Shores Acres, Orchard Lane and Sylvan Drive) expressed interest in being included in the wastewater planning study area. In May 2005 the Greater Woods Bay Sewer Committee (GWBSC) representing the Greater Woods Bay Planning Area (GWBPA) initiated a study to investigate a community wastewater system that includes Woods Bay and Sheaver’s Creek districts and these surrounding areas.

PLANNING AREA DESCRIPTION
The GWBPA extends from the Flathead/Lake County boundary lines to the north; Flathead Lake to the west, Mauzey Creek (approximately) to the south and State of Montana lands to the east, as shown on the accompanying figure, (click here).

The boundaries of the GWBPA to the east and west are natural boundaries based on geography and property ownership. The northern boundary was selected solely based on the arbitrary location of the County boundary, and not based on topography, density or community considerations. The legal framework for the creation and management of sewer districts is significantly complicated when they include land in multiple counties. For this reason, and this reason only, the GWBSC has elected to limit the planning area in this way at this time. Future extensions of service into Flathead County are possible, as is the extension of the Bigfork Water and Sewer District Boundary south to the county line.

The establishment of Mauzey Creek as a southern planning boundary is based on several factors, including topography and community input. The GWBSC recognizes that the planning and future service area of a sewer district could be extended to the south under favorable conditions.

COMMUNITY INPUT
Since identification of the desire for an expanded PER planning area, several community meetings have been held to determine the best course of action in incorporating the surrounding areas into the project. These meetings have been guided by the GWBSC. More information is available on the public meetings held to date.

WHY IS A COMMUNITY WASTEWATER SYSTEM NEEDED?
There would be three primary benefits to be derived from a community wastewater system:

• Protection of Drinking Water Quality,
• Protection of Flathead Lake Water Quality, and
• Protect resident’s ability to have cost-effective long-term sewer service

The current on-site septic systems’ poor conditions and the increasing awareness of the environmental effects of failing or inadequate septic systems prompted the community to evaluate alternatives to minimize and reverse groundwater and surface water deterioration. Because many of the on-site septic systems within the planning area are aging, failing and not in compliance with present regulations, current wastewater treatment is substandard or minimal in many cases.

DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Untreated or inadequately treated water is migrating to groundwater and contaminating wells and Flathead Lake, both domestic drinking water sources. Evidence of this occurrence is the increasing levels of nitrates detected in drinking water wells and in Flathead Lake. The figure shows increasing levels of nitrate in public water supplies in the Woods Bay area.

LAKE WATER QUALITY
The decrease in water quality of Flathead Lake does not only have negative effects on the health and safety of the members of the communities but will also impact the community economically. The natural beauty of the area makes it a desirable area to live and recreate, creating economic growth. Development will be limited to the ability of the community to comply with present and future environmental regulations. Furthermore, property values can only be maintained if reliable alternatives for replacement or upgrade of current wastewater treatment and disposal system are available.

Flathead Lake has been listed (303d) by the State of Montana as an impaired surface water. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Flathead Lake were established by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The Flathead Lake TMDL requires a 25 percent reduction in annual loading of nitrogen and phosphorous nutrient from entering Flathead Lake from all sources. While the sources are many, near-shore septic tanks were estimated by MDEQ to contribute 250 percent and 500 percent more nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, than the contribution of all wastewater treatment plants in the Flathead basin. The GWBPA has, within its boundary, some of the highest density near-shore development on Flathead Lake. Even if all on-site systems were achieving “Level 2” treatment, the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus discharged is substantially more than a well designed and operated community wastewater system. A community wastewater system for the GWBPA has the potential to contribute substantially to the attainment of the Flathead Lake TMDL. See the “Links” page for additional information on Flathead Lake Water Quality degradation. Near-shore pollution in Woods Bay is evident from increased algal growth as shown in the accompanying photographs of Cymbella mexicanum taken during the summer of 2005.

COST EFFECTIVE WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Many existing on-site wastewater systems constructed prior to the mid 1980s provide substandard treatment by today’s design regulations. In addition, properly operating on-site wastewater systems require periodic replacement to remain effective. Some property owners would have difficulties obtaining permission from the county to replace failing systems due to the area topography, soil conditions, and lot sizes. Many new systems would require expensive “Level 2” treatment. Current residents could be faced with costs of $5000-20,000 to replace single-family residential systems. A community wastewater system would ensure that a long-term, cost effecitve solution to wastewater treatment would be in place for the greater woods bay area.

WASTEWATER DISTRICT ORGANIZATION
The GWBSC has determined, based on investigation and advice of legal counsel, that the best course of action for providing community wastewater service in the areas surrounding the two existing Districts was to form an additional sewer-only county district. A public election on formation of a new District is planned for mid-2006. Once the new district is formed, a Regional Authority will be created to provide the mechanism for all three District to work together effectively and economically. For further information go to Reports and Other Documents.