DEQ has until April 28th to make their final determination regarding the groundwater discharge permit that would allow Lakeside County Water and Sewer District to discharge partially treated wastewater, including highly concentrated septage from a variety of sources from across the entire county, into very shallow groundwater with connectivity to many surface waters one mile north of Flathead Lake. The experts we hired to re-evaluate Lakeside’s proposal say that this is the worst location for a groundwater discharge system like the one they are proposing. We hope that DEQ does the right thing and denies this permit. We are advocating this project be moved to a less hydro geologically sensitive area.
Lakeside County Water and Sewer District is applying for a groundwater discharge permit through DEQ. There have already been several notices of deficiency and modifications made to address multiple issues with the proposed system which consists of Rapid Infiltration Basins. We have concerns with how this system will negatively impact Flathead Lake, the area’s groundwater, and the many surface waters in Lower Valley. This area has very high groundwater that is interconnected with the many surface waters. After much research we feel that this is the not the best place for this proposed wastewater system. Read on to learn more about what exactly is being proposed.
DEQ is accepting public comments on the draft MGWPCS permit and the draft EA from Dec. 9, 2024, to Jan. 10, 2025. To view the draft permit, Fact Sheet, draft EA, and to learn how to submit a comment visit: https://deq.mt.gov/News/publiccomment-folder/PN-MT-24-14-MTX000307
In a 2/16/2024 letter to Chris Boe, with Montana DEQ, regarding LCWSD’s pending application for a groundwater discharge permit from DEQ, Water Environmental Technologies (WET) engineer, Brad Bennett, PG Senior Hydrogeologist with WET stated:
“Please note that the fate and transport evaluation has resulted in modification to the proposed project, including the dimensions and location of RI basin areas and volume of water proposed for discharge, which has been reduced from 340,000 GPD to 200,000 GPD. Please let me know if you would like us to update the application submitted via the FACTS website.”
Something about this area forced LCWSD’s engineer to lower the proposed volume of discharge by 140,000 GPD (gallons per day). When Lakeside has stated they eventually want to dispose of 900,000 GPD. How will this site work for the future if it barely works for right now??
The site is close to critical protected lands, bird migration paths, abundant wildlife, livestock, agriculture farmland, historical homesteads, Wiley Slough and waterways to Flathead Lake.
Lakeside County Water and Sewer District is applying for a ground water discharge permit to be able to discharge wastewater into very shallow groundwater, with connectivity to surface waters, one mile north of Flathead Lake.
