(Newswire.net — July 18, 2018) — July 18, 2018) –
Montana’s northwest lakes are suffering from an unnoticed problem: sewage seeping into the lakes. A report conducted between 2014 and 2015 determined that many of the lake homes had septic systems, but the sewage that is fed into the systems was starting to seep into the northwestern lakes.
Failing sewer systems were to blame for contamination in Flathead Lake after DNA tests showed that human gut fauna had entered the lake and surface water.
Thus far, homeowners have done little to adopt alternative practices and instead, leave their aging systems to leak sewage into many of the lakes that the homes overlook. Soil absorbs much of the waste and breaks it down, but soil conditions and lack of maintenance has led to liquid being released into nearby lakes.
Engineers often recommend that neighborhoods and homes connect to local sewer systems, which are better maintained and reduce the risk of spillage. High costs and the presence of city property taxes are two of the main factors holding residents back from opting for city sewer systems instead of septic systems.
A lot of residents are also on fixed incomes, and adding another $150 a month for service would be too much of a burden for residents.
Flathead Basin’s Commission voted in favor of legislation that will allow the Legislature’s Water Policy Interim Committee to draft a study bill that will go before the 2019 Legislature.
The study will focus on barriers stopping alternatives from being adopted before moving forward, with funding opportunities and the help of local governments to tackle the issue. Lawmakers attempted to previously introduce a bill that would inspect and regulate septic systems, but the bill didn’t come up for a vote.
“Your residential sewer line removes waste and waste water from your home. When the line starts malfunctioning the consequences will range from a sewer smell to sewage backup in your home. The first indication that something is wrong is a gurgling sound when you flush your toilets, or the floor drain backing up when you do your laundry,” states CME Sewer Repair.
The Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers both suffered from 100 million gallons of sewage in a separate incident that the Department of Natural Resources investigated. The investigation found that while the city was to blame for failing to investigate the rupture quickly, it will not be fined if added waterway protections are added and followed.