Lakeside sewer project draws mixed review

Roughly 100 Flathead Valley residents piled into the Lakeside Quick Response Unit Community Room on Feb. 27 to discuss potential upgrades and expansion of Lakeside County Water and Sewer District’s facilities.  

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality held a public hearing regarding a potential groundwater discharge permit and draft environmental assessment for the district, part of a larger plan to update the district’s outdated treatment system and ultimately allow treated wastewater to be released into the site’s groundwater via a rapid infiltration system. The plan also includes constructing a facility to treat septage from septic systems.   

The comment period on the project was extended twice after more than 200 comments were received. Views were split at the hearing last week.