Uncategorized
Water and sewer district faces steep wastewater irrigation quotas
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersPond odor at Spanish Peaks pushes diners inside
By Sarah Gianelli EBS Senior Editor
BIG SKY – The Big Sky Water and Sewer District board tackled a number of topics at their regular monthly meeting on July 17, most of which come back to the ever-pressing limitations on wastewater storage and disposal.
The first order of business brought Lone Mountain Ranch General Manager Ryan Kunz to the table to discuss the ranch’s request to increase its Single Family Equivalent (SFE) allocations for a loose 10-year plan to construct two to three additional cabins, additional employee housing, an event facility, a restaurant bar, and hot soaking pools.
The board suggested that this would not be a problem, but asked Kunz how granting the request might also benefit the district—wastewater drainage fields being a hot commodity—a quid pro quo angle the board has been taking when entities look to the district for something. Kunz expressed confidence that the district would be able to gain access to a pasture on the property for drainage use.
Jon Olsen, director of development and engineering at Lone Mountain Land Company, shared an unpleasant situation at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club that quickly assumed priority status for the board. The “Hole 10” wastewater storage pond, also the one closest to the clubhouse, has been giving off such a strong, offensive odor that it has forced outside diners to move indoors on a number of occasions this summer.
After much discussion about what might be the cause, the district’s water superintendent, Grant Burroughs, established that the wastewater being pumped up to the club was coming from a currently unaerated district pond. Olsen said that two solar-powered aeration devices to be used on the surface of the Spanish Peaks pond were en route, but Burroughs was also tasked to find a solution on the district’s end, which will likely entail repairing its pond’s underwater aeration system.
In another urgent matter, while the board was unanimously pleased with the rate of irrigation on the Big Sky Resort, Yellowstone Club and Moonlight Basin golf courses, that rate needs to continue at or near current levels for the next 76 days to free up enough pond storage space before irrigation season ends in October.
“Bottom line, this is all working but we can’t have any hiccups with it … for the rest of the summer,” the district’s general manager Ron Edwards said, adding that if Big Sky sees an abundance of rain they “won’t make it.” Edwards said that the current average daily rate of treated wastewater being pumped onto the Big Sky Resort golf course hadn’t been sustained for a full week since the season started.
In closing, Edwards said that an update on the district potentially working out a win-win arrangement with Westfork Water and Wastewater, the private utility company that owns and operates the water supply system for the Firelight development, would be provided at the next meeting of the district.
Around the boardroom table, eyes lit up at the possibility of the district being able to access high-capacity drainage fields on the property—and the relief that it would bring to the ongoing pressure of wastewater disposal.
Visit bigskywatersewer.com for details about the August meeting of the Big Sky Water and Sewer District board.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
october, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
July 29 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 7 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
Time
August 5 (Monday) 9:00 am - October 7 (Monday) 12:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
August 5 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 14 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
more
Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
Time
August 7 (Wednesday) 12:00 pm - October 7 (Monday) 1:00 pm
Location
Len Hill Park