Five Reasons Why the Proposed Sewer Will Not Change Water Quality

Will the proposed sewer system clean up or change water quality in the Clearwater drainage? Probably not very much. Here are five reasons why.

First, even though test wells show elevated nitrate levels in the core downtown area, the data is questionable. Engineers recommended a series of test wells to accurately determine groundwater quality. They were never drilled and only three test wells were regularly monitored. One of those sits near a laundromat and busy bar/restaurant business with four septics under its property and another is near a commercial RV dumpsite.

Also, early water samples were taken at the Dog Town Bridge on the Clearwater River. Those samples would contain contaminants from all the upstream river residents who are NOT in the sewer district.

Second, only about 25 percent of the creek, river and lakeshore residents are in the sewer district. The remaining 75 percent are outside and will probably never see a sewer line and are probably part of the reason downstream Salmon Lake is in worse shape than Seeley. Also, golf courses have historically caused pollution problems with their fertilization programs. Ours sits on Morrell Creek and has never been evaluated as a potential polluter.

Third, a paper produced by the Clearwater Resource Community a few years back pointed out septics are not the only pollution problem. I quote: “The information that is now available does not prove septic systems have caused important negative changes in our lake.” “...we can’t conclude a sewer system will solve all our problems.”

Fourth, Seeley Lake is a lagoon...the inlet and outlet are close together at the North end of the Lake, so it never irrigates itself. The 15 feet of mud at the south end both harbors and slowly releases pollutants from hundreds of years ago.

Also, many shoreline residents along “C” street sit on a high water table area and their septics and drainfields actually flood during high water. Most all the state leases along the Clearwater downstream from the lake are the same. The county health department has never monitored the pollution problem posed by these residences or offered to help them upgrade their septics.

Fifth, and finally, remember Seeley Lake is and always will be a small rural low and middle income community unable to bear the incredible financial burden this project poses. Because we are surrounded by public lands, most future growth will occur to the south towards the Double Arrow Ranch and to the east toward the airport. All of this area is outside the present sewer district boundaries and would be VERY expensive to annex and connect the sewer. It would also require expansion of the Seeley Lake Water District...also VERY expensive.

Fortunately, there are EPA-approved alternatives which include sophisticated septic systems, inspection and pump-out programs and mini-sewer systems. Unfortunately, the Seeley Lake Sewer District Board and the Missoula County Public Works Department have never examined them and have put us in the unfortunate position of having to defeat this clumsy proposal and go back to the drawing board

A final irony. Chain and box stores will never consider a community without a central sewer. Build it and they’ll come.