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.