A test of the Holland Lake Wastewater System shows the lagoons lost 19.5 inches of effluent in eight days, much higher than the six inches allowed annually by the state.
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.
If the Forest Service does not complete the necessary maintenance deadlines, it might face legal trouble with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, which said in an Oct. 18 letter that some fines associated with the lagoon could run up to $10,000 per day.
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.
Engineers from DEQ also reviewed discharge and maintenance records, which the agency said has unaccounted for 200,000 gallons of wastewater since November 2021.
"This excessive leakage constitutes a discharge without a permit in violation of the Montana Water Quality Act," a release from DEQ said.
Overall, the Forest Service must complete several tasks in the next year to stay out of legal trouble, including explaining why so much wastewater is unaccounted for, sample the site for nitrogen and establish where the wastewater has been going underground, and if that has affected Holland Lake.
The Forest Service must also 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 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 cooperate to get the lagoons up to code.
"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 by Jan. 10, 2024.
"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.
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