New wastewater plant underway
Construction on the new wastewater
treatment plant at the Bigfork Water and Sewer District began
Monday, Nov. 29.
Equipment had already been moved to the
sewer district’s property on Harbor Heights Boulevard earlier in
the month, district manager Julie Spencer said.
The road in front of the property will
be closed during the duration of the construction and those who
live or are driving in the area are encouraged to find an alternate
route, she said.
Spencer said that it is hoped
construction will be ongoing throughout the winter, depending on
the weather. It’s projected to take about a year and a half.
“We’re just going to try to be good
neighbors,” Spencer said, noting that anyone with concerns or
questions can contact the district by calling 837-4566.
Voters in the Bigfork area approved an
$8.1 million general obligation bond to help pay to replace the
existing and aging plant in July. The total cost of the project is
$9.6 million, but $1.5 million was raised through grants.
The current treatment system at the
plant was constructed in 1986 with an anticipated 20-year
life-expectancy and has shown signs of aging.
The new 6,300-square-foot treatment
facility will include a membrane filtration system, which will be
the first one in the state. This system will help the district meet
the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s new permit
standards that the current plant is not able to comply with. The
district has until Jan. 1, 2013 to comply before hefty daily fines
would ensue. It will also double the district’s existing
capacity.