Missoula, MT — On Tuesday evening, Missoula County Public Works hosted an open house at Lolo School to discuss the future of the county’s sewer system, offering residents a chance to weigh in on a crucial decision: whether to maintain the current system or pursue potential upgrades.
Shane Stack, Chief Public Works Officer for Missoula County, outlined the county’s options, acknowledging the aging infrastructure that has reached its capacity. “The bioreactor, secondary clarifier, they’re aged, but we’re also at capacity and we don’t have redundancy,” Stack explained. “So if there’s any type of failure, we’re having to shut the system down or try to divert wastewater. That’s just not really a good long-term option if we do have a failure.”
The county’s existing system is also not in compliance with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulations, specifically DEQ Circular Number 2, which addresses wastewater treatment and infrastructure standards. Stack emphasized that upgrades are needed to meet compliance and keep the system operational, estimating the cost of necessary repairs at $7.5 million.
However, the proposed plan includes a potential expansion of the system’s capacity at an additional cost of $1.6 million. This expansion would accommodate 800 new connections, allowing the county to address future growth while ensuring that current needs are met. “For an additional $1.6 million, we essentially have 800 and 400 new connections, or the ability to have that and accommodate it,” said Stack, adding that the county aims to keep connection fees for water and sewer combined at around $10,000 per connection.
Although the additional capacity may help accommodate future development, it also comes with a significant financial impact for current residents. The county proposed an increase in monthly water and sewer rates by approximately $30 to cover the costs of these improvements.
The potential rate hike has sparked concern among some Lolo residents, particularly senior citizens and those on fixed incomes. “Senior citizens and people on Social Security have no way of getting an extra $20 for whatever it’s going to take,” said Cathie Hinds, a local resident. Her sentiments were echoed by Liz Heany Zader, who expressed frustration with the rising costs of living. “It just compounds it with insurance rates, insurance hikes, property taxes are always going up. The levy, this FEMA flood insurance, it’s like how much more can a person take?”
While the proposed upgrades would likely reduce the impact on existing residents over time by spreading costs across new connections, the immediate increase in rates has left many questioning whether the county’s plan is the most equitable solution for all residents.
The decision on whether to move forward with the capacity expansion will be made by the end of July, with public input and the option for residents to protest the decision. Missoula County Public Works has committed to considering all feedback before making a final choice.
As the county continues to assess its options, local residents will undoubtedly remain focused on the potential financial impact of the proposed changes.
