The Holland Lake Wastewater System in August.
A leakage study determined the Holland Lake Wastewater System has been spilling sewage at a very high rate into the surrounding ground, an issue that the Forest Service said will be fixed under state guidelines.
The study showed that the wastewater system had leaked 19.5 inches of effluent over eight days. The state-approved leakage is six inches per year. That's roughly 148 times the legal limit.
“This excessive leakage constitutes a discharge without a permit in violation of the Montana Water Quality Act,” a release from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality said.
While the Forest Service is out of compliance with the law, DEQ spokesperson Moira Davin said the Forest Service has been cooperative and any legal decisions have not been made.
"DEQ has not yet made a decision about taking any legal action," Davin said.
The state environmental quality department said on Wednesday, Oct. 18 that the Forest Service must require sampling, install groundwater monitoring wells and replace the lagoon's liner before the site can be used again.
The wastewater system serves both the Holland Lake Lodge and a 42-site Forest Service campground. Both places have been closed for the season, which the Forest Service said stopped any additional waste from entering the lagoon.
The Forest Service said it worked with the DEQ to conduct the study of the lagoons. Last week both DEQ and Missoula County officials looked over the two-cell lagoon, which lies about 1,000 feet from Holland Lake.
The Forest Service said it will likely replace the liner on the lagoon and will do other remedial projects to get the wastewater lagoons into compliance.
"We are committed to maintaining and protecting water quality and, together with DEQ, will ensure appropriate actions, in compliance (with) the Clean Water Act," said Carol Hatfield, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Flathead National Forest, in a press release.
DEQ said it is requiring a new engineering report be submitted to the state, installation of new liners and another leakage test to be completed by Jan. 10, 2024. Flathead National Forest spokesperson Kira Powell said the timeline on getting the lagoon up to code is unknown.
"We are working through the remedy process as quickly as possible and will make every effort to avoid impacts to next year's summer recreation season but at this time, it is unclear," Powell said. "We will provide updates as the remedy process moves forward."
In the press release, the state said it is illegal to be discharging sewage to groundwater in excess of allowable limits without a permit.
"DEQ is committed to ensuring proper management of wastewater systems throughout Montana," said DEQ water quality division administrator Lindsey Krywaruchka. "In our oversight role, we work with operators to get systems into compliance and provide technical assistance to protect and maintain Montana's environment."
The Pathfinder previously reported that Missoula County is requiring a new operation permit of the lagoon after Freedom of Information Act documents revealed unreported maintenance in 2022.
Reader Comments(1)
Caroline writes:
I’m so grateful to the reporter covering this story, for the Pathfinder for keeping us informed, and for the people who worked hard to expose this gross negligence. People who care about our community do not allow such contamination.
10/19/2023, 8:02 am