3. Failing Septic Systems Green Acres AreaIncorporated 1892
Telephone (406) 758-7700
Douglas Rauthe
FAX (406) 758-7758
Mayor
Post Office Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana
Al Thelen
Zip 59903-1997
Interim City Manager
Date: July 22, 1996
City Council
To: Al Thelen, Interim City Manager
tiAembers:
From: John Wilson, Assistant City Engineer
Gary W. Nystul
Re: Greenacres Septic Failures
Ward I
Cliff Collins
Attached please find drawings which identify seven properties with failing septic systems
Ward I
in the Greenacres area. Also attached are copies of a letter from the County
Norbert F. Donahue
Environmental Health Director and a typical letter sent to each of these property owners
Ward 11
informing them that continued use of their failed system is a violation of health
Dale Haarr
regulations. From our discussions with the County Environmental Health Services we
Ward 11
see no feasible alternative other than for these properties to connect to the City sewer.
Jim Atkinson
Ward III
We have met with the affected property owners and visited the site on several occasions. Lauren Granmo
The owners acknowledge the problem and are anxious for a solution, but the cost of Ward III
connection fees and construction is a major obstacle. Although the polluted water has Pamela B. Kennedy
subsided at this time, the Health Department order still stands and the problem is certain Ward IV
to reoccur unless these homes are brought onto the municipal sewer. M. Duane Larson
Ward IV
Our sewer system currently extends to points immediately south and west of the problem
area, as shown on the drawing in yellow. The features in black show our concept for a
sewer installation which will solve the problem. The system would be owned and
maintained by the City.
The cost of engineering and construction is estimated at $25,000. Including Lot 73
which would also be accommodated by this project, the cost of engineering, construction
and connection fees for each lot would be approximately $4800. We propose that
engineering and construction be paid out of Sewer funds, with the property owners to
fully reimburse the City through a plan developed by the Planning, Economic and
Community Development Department.
This is actually a County problem with County approved septic systems in an area of
County jurisdiction. However, it is the City which has the sewer system and the means
to help resolve this serious health problem. A staff proposal for annexation would bring
this area under City jurisdiction before the end of the year.
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Environmental Health Services
Flathead City -County Health Department
723 Fifth Avenue East, Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5760 Fax: 758-5859
July 22, 1996
Al Thelen, Interim City Manager
City of Kalispell
P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59901
Re: Greenacres Unit 3 Subdivision
Dear Mr. Thelen:
This letter is submitted in support of the need to complete the public sewer to the
remaining lots in the above referenced subdivision. On May 13, 1996 our office
responded to complaint of a failing individual sewage treatment system relating to Lot
89 of Greenacres #3. During the visit it was evident that the individual sewage
treatment systems in this area could not be functioning without threat to public health
due to the large amount of ponded water over the sewage treatment system drainfields.
The owners of the unsewered lots received letters from our office that their systems
were failing and the only possible corrective action was to connect to the Kalispell
municipal sewer.
Our office strongly supports connecting these lots to the municipal sewer. The ponding
water observed on these lots occurs virtually every year. The situation may have been
worse than in previous years due to the abnormally high amount of precipitation in April
and May. In previous years we have investigated complaintsof failing sewage treatment
systems, high groundwater and/or ponding water and flooded basements.in this area.
,The soil in the area is predominately a very fine matrix consisting of silt and clay. This
soil is restrictive for water movement and hence not an ideal soil for individual sewage
treatment systems. These seasonal failures pose a, public health threat than could be
eliminated with municipal sewer service.
We fully support your efforts to sewer this area. Please don't hesitate to contact me if
you have any questions.
Sincerely,
E nw
l/
Administration
758-5750
mental Health Director
Community Health Services Family. Planning Home Health Services I WIC
758-5741 758-5756 862-9030 758-5752
Flathead City -County Health Department
723 Fifth Avenue East. Kalispell. MT 59901
(406) 758-5760 Fax: 758-5859
June 12, 1996
Mr. Michael and Marie Stock -hill
32330 44th PI SW
Federal Way, WA 98023-2408
Re: Lot 74 of Green Acres #3, Section 20, T28N, R21 W, Flathead County
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Stockhill;
During an investigation into a complaint concerning a failing septic system(s) on or near 1704
Stag Lane, it was discovered that your system is failing and/or a contributing factor to the
ponding water. Unfortunately, a septic system drainfield inundated with surface/ground water
cannot function properly or in a sanitary manner. Additionally, sewage treatment systems whose
sewage/effluent flows or enters surface and/or groundwater without adequate treatment or
removal of bacteria, virus, and other contaminants is considered failing and also constitutes a
danger to public health and the environment.
The problem must be corrected as it is a violation of the Flathead County Regulations for
Sewage Treatment Systems (FCRSTS-1988) to own or operate a malfunctioning (failing) sewage
treatment system and for the system to create a public nuisance. However, -because sewer is
within a reasonable distance of your property and replacement is not possible within today's
current regulations, you must contact the City of Kalispell Public Works Dept. concerning their
regulations and requirements for sewer hook up. The contact is John Wilson, P.E., Assistant
City Engineer at (406) 758-7724.
Obviously; there are several bordering properties also with standing water. The other lot owners
who appear to have failing septic systems will also be contacted as the best approach to solving
the continual "seasonal" problem may be a group effort.
Should you have any questions, or if I can be of further help, please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
110` ,
Jim Mu 11, R.S.
Environrri ntal Health Sanitarian
John Wilson, City of Kalispell Public Works Department
Administration Community Health Services Gamily Planning I lome Health Services WIC
758-5750 758-57 31 758-57;O 962 1r030 758-5752