Claims of Nitrate/Chloride Pollution in Seeley Lake are Highly Exaggerated

SEELEY LAKE - Many of my friends and neighbors along Boy Scout Road and C Street are under the impression that the lake is severely polluted. They have all written letters regarding this theory. I took the time this summer to go to the Seeley Lake Water District and printed out all the information about all the water testing that has been done regarding the sewer.

The tests for nitrates in the lake, which the Board paid for, are very low. The average being .06 mg/l. A full 10 represents the standard for issues with drinking water. The chlorides also test way below any level of concern. The average being 2.26 mg/l. (You should be aware that there is no specific danger level put forth by either the state or federal environmental offices. They do recommend being concerned if the chlorides go past 250 mg/l.)

This data shows that the lake is not as polluted as one has been led to believe. Certainly not enough to warrant paying for a sewer system over the next 40 years. Don’t forget that the properties along the lake and river on state and federal lands are NOT INCLUDED in the sewer project, so why should those on Boy Scout Road and C Street pick up the tab when those nearby are NOT subject to special wastewater treatment regulations. The chances of them ever hooking up are pretty slim.

Be aware that most lake people are at the lake only during the three months of summer. If people, like myself, would spend the money to UPDATE and SERVICE their septic systems, this would be a lot cheaper route to take than paying for a sewer system and it certainly would help the lake. I replaced my septic system five years ago for way under $10,000. It may be time for you to look into replacing your systems. I know many of you have very old systems.

So my friends along Boy Scout Road and C Street, don’t just write letters without getting facts. Take some time to educate yourself. Go online and look at the Cadastral Map, check out the water testing done through the Seeley Lake Water District. Don’t be duped into thinking that this sewer system is all or mainly about Seeley Lake being polluted. There are many ulterior motives behind this sewer system and most of them begin with the sewer board.

 

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