Kalispell City Council to vote on emergency well repairs

Kalispell City Council is expected to authorize emergency repairs to a public water well on Tuesday and likely begin its transition away from composting biosolids.

Council will meet Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

Councilors will vote on authorizing an emergency repair to the Buffalo Hill Well, which has experienced “significant operational deficiencies” over the past couple of weeks, according to a city memo drafted by Public Works Director Susie Turner.  

“Time is of the essence to complete the replacement and return the well to service before the high summer demand,” Turner wrote.   

The Buffalo Hill Well is the city’s largest water producer for its lower pressure zone, which is roughly anything south of Lawrence Park. A storage tank is also under construction and out of commission, making it critical to maintain the well, according to Turner 

Declaring the project an emergency will expedite the typically lengthy process of bidding for a contractor.  

The project is estimated to cost $250,000 but could reach as high as $325,000. City staff expects to have to remove the motor and pump with a large crane to assess the repairs needed, according to Turner.  

COUNCIL WILL also consider extending its agreement with Glacier Gold Composting so that the company can continue managing the city’s biosolids while its wastewater treatment plant is upgraded. 

During a work session in December, councilors expressed interest in moving away from compositing its biosolids owing to public concerns surrounding forever chemicals. Glacier Gold also closed its composting facility in Olney, which may have sealed the deal on the move.  

The city currently sends 70% of its biosolids to Glacier Gold Composting and the rest to Flathead County Landfill, but the landfill will eventually take in all the city’s sewage.  

But before that happens, the city must invest in new equipment to adhere to the landfill’s standards.  The new and upgraded equipment has a projected cost of $6.8 million, according to city documents.  

The upgrades are expected to be completed by 2026, and the amended agreement with Glacier Gold would expire in September 2026. The city currently pays $238 per dry ton of sludge delivered to the Glacier Gold Compost Facility. The rate will increase to $370 per dry ton on Jul 1, 2025 and remain in effect through the agreement term. 

Biosolids, also known as sewage sludge, are a product of the wastewater treatment process. The solids can be used to create nutrient-rich fertilizers, but concerns have grown over pollutants and pathogens that can contaminate the product, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as PFAS or forever chemicals. 

Council is also expected to enter into an updated agreement with the consulting firm, Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, who would manage the wastewater treatment upgrades. 

COUNCIL WILL also vote whether to approve Mitchell Bump to the Tourism Business Improvement District. 

First established in 2010, the seven-member board promotes the health, safety and security of the city and district, according to Kalispell’s website.  Board members serve a four-year term; Bump’s term would end in April 2027.  

“I wanted to be a part of shaping the future of Kalispell to reflect the values we cherish such as maintaining its small-town charm while embracing sustainable growth and opportunity,” read Bump’s application. He has a background in hotel management and hospitality.  

Kalispell Police officers Matthew Praetzel and Connor McKinnon will also be confirmed on Tuesday night after completing their one-year probationary employment period.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and junderhill@dailyinterlake.com.