Developer opts for environmentally friendly water system

When developer Ken Madden was looking for a water-treatment solution for his new 162-home subdivision in the Flathead Valley, he knew he had to do something different.

It took two years and $2 million for Madden to find an environmentally friendly wastewater system for his subdivision.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality recently approved a state-of-the-art community water treatment facility for the Glacier Ranch subdivision north of Kalispell.

A self-described conservationist and outdoor enthusiast, Madden said he feels a responsibility to impact the environment as little as possible when it comes to constructing communities.

"I try to have my developments fit into the land, not impose on it," he said.

From the roads to the ground water, Madden's Glacier Ranch subdivision south of the airport on U.S. 2 is touted as an example of responsible land development.

"Some people call it being 'green,'" Madden said. "Some of us have been doing it for years."

The 178-acre subdivision, previously Glacier Horse Ranch, provides less invasive roadways featuring cul-de-sacs and roundabouts. Approximately one-third of the acreage of the development has been designated as open space.

Unlike other rural subdivisions, Glacier Ranch will not use a system of septic tanks, but rather a clean-running treatment facility.

Due to shallow groundwater in the area, Madden said that a large quantity of septic tanks would not be ideal. Even when working properly, septic tanks tend to lead to some amount of pollution.

"I didn't want to create a pollution plume in the groundwater," Madden said.

He said the low-effluent community system will be the only one of its kind in Montana.

"We went the extra mile to not impact the environment," Madden said. "Well, actually we went about five extra miles."

Reporter Amy May can be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at amay@dailyinterlake.com