Study: septic contamination in Whitefish Lake confirmed

Whitefish Lake Institute has released a study that confirms septic contamination in Whitefish Lake, but says the lake is still safe.

The study supports results from a 1980s study that found contamination in the lake that is likely the result of failing septic tanks.

“Whitefish Lake is still safe to recreate in,” Institute Executive Director Mike Koopal said. “It is generally safe, but this is a preventative message. Let’s address this before it does become problematic.”

The nonprofit organization has been planning its own study of the lake since forming in 2005 and finally was able to complete it.

“The results really aren’t groundbreaking considering the fact that there’s been previous studies on the lake that have found various degrees of septic contamination,” Koopal said. “We feel this study corroborates many of those studies.”

The study found contamination at City Beach bay, at Viking Creek and Lazy Bay. It also designates a few areas as being at-risk for future contamination.

At the City Beach bay northeast of the public beach human waste was found in the lake water. The residential neighborhood is connected to the city water system, but the results may indicate leakage from an old, abandoned septic system or a breach in the city system in that area.

However, the study notes the most probable scenario is that human excrement from swimmers at City Beach was dispersed via lake or boat-wash currents in the area.

“We were surprised to find the marker for human feces,” Koopal said. “What we concluded was that the natural current or boat wash moved it to the testing site.”

Koopal said the lake is safe, but if work isn’t done to curtail and prevent further contamination the lake could one day become unsafe.

The study looked at the extent of septic leachate to the shoreline area of the lake. Septic leachate is the liquid that remains after wastewater drains through septic solids. The liquid contains elevated concentrations of bacteria and organic compounds from waste and detergents, and is transported by groundwater through sediments into lake water.

From May to October 2011 the Institute took samples from 20 sites on the lake. The sites were chosen based upon areas that have historically had contamination and also at random. Several scientific tests were used to determine the possible presence of contamination.

Mayor John Muhlfeld, who reviewed the report, commended the Institute’s efforts to examine septic contamination and potential impacts to water quality. He noted the study verifies prior conclusions about the lake, and said the take-home message is that septic leachate is “affecting lake water quality and is a real concern for our community.”

“Efforts to reverse deteriorating water quality requires a community-based awareness that acknowledges we do have a problem, that we all play a part in the problem and the solution, and that the quality of Whitefish Lake water quality is explicably linked to the economic well being of Whitefish and the Flathead Valley,” Muhlfeld said. “We will reach a crossroads at which point we will need to make tough decisions.”

THE INSTITUTE performed a number of tests to determine potential leaching into the lake water. They also looked at septic system and permit maps.

One of the main tools was testing for whiteners that are in laundry detergents. Water used in a washing machine will pass through a septic system. If the septic system is not functioning properly those whiteners can pass into groundwater and the lake. Tests confirming the whiteners show likely failure of septic systems.

The study also sets a few areas as having high and medium potential for future contamination. Lazy Creek channel and Dog Bay State Park seep are at a high level. Medium level sites are City Beach seep, southeast Monk’s Bay, Brush Bay and Carver Bay.

All of the areas are considered at-risk because of failing septic systems that have or could contribute septic leachate to groundwater and the lake. Some of the sites have dense housing developments near the lake.

“Our risk levels were established to be very conservative,” Koopal said. “We’re very careful not to wave a red flag without pretty good data.”

Septic systems don’t last forever, the Institute notes. Modern systems, those created after 1990, contain technology advancements and are built to last 30 years or more. Older septic systems were built to function for about 15 to 20 years.

Whitefish Lake Institute will meet with Whitefish city officials to discuss the study’s results.

The Institute proposes a few possible courses of action.

Suggestions are to create an education and outreach program, a regulatory program to ensure proper installation and maintenance of septic systems and create a program that would provide funding assistance to those looking to upgrade their septic system.

“Similar to so many examples in our community, I believe Whitefish will come together to find the solutions,” Muhlfeld said. “The Institute’s role, which it has done, is to provide the science to the Whitefish City Council. The role of the city council is to put the science into action through policy by collaborating with stakeholders to find reasonable, cost-effective solutions to this problem. Finding effective solutions will not be an easy task by any means, and it will be expensive, that’s the reality.”