Big Fix on Big Mountain: Sewer Project Saves Money and Water

When federal relief dollars come to local communities, the big question is always: will they make a real difference? In the case of the Big Mountain Sewer District (BMSD), the answer is yes.

Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), water and sewer districts in Flathead County received critical funding to tackle long-standing infrastructure needs. In Montana, these funds were distributed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) under the guidance of the Infrastructure Advisory Commission. Two main programs, the Minimum Allocation Grants (MCEP) and Renewable Resource Grants and Loans (RRGL), ensured that communities of all sizes could invest in lasting improvements. At the local level, Flathead County managed the program—helping distribute funds, track deadlines, oversee reporting, and ensure projects were closed out successfully. Their role was to keep the process accountable and on schedule, so that projects like BMSD’s could deliver real results for residents.

For BMSD, that meant combining multiple funding sources: $311,182.37 in ARPA Minimum Allocation Grant funds, $118,053.65 from a DNRC Renewable Resource Grant, and $201,291.67 in Flathead County MAG funds. Local reserves contributed a smaller portion, and the total project cost came in at $631,762.69. This careful blend of state, federal, county, and local dollars maximized impact while avoiding overburdening ratepayers.

The District operates the sewage collection system for Big Mountain’s homes and businesses, with all wastewater flowing to the City of Whitefish for treatment. For years, infiltration and inflow (I&I) from leaking manholes and spring runoff forced the District to pay to treat millions of gallons of clear water that never should have entered the system. At one point, as much as 49% of the District’s total discharge was clear water — an expensive and wasteful problem.

With ARPA and DNRC support, the district completed an important Inflow & Infiltration Mitigation Project. Crews installed cured-in-place (CIP) linings in 20 sanitary sewer manholes, built 2 new manholes, raised and re-sealed 33 chimney/lid sections, and carried out spot repairs. They also abandoned one leaking manhole and one leaking sewer segment. These targeted improvements kept spring runoff out of the sanitary sewer system and stopped costly overflows of clear water into the wastewater stream.

The impact looks like this:

• 26% less inflow and infiltration during runoff – Data from the 2023 runoff season, compared with three previous years, shows major reductions.
• 25% lower annual treatment costs – because the City of Whitefish bills by gallonage, reducing clear water flow saves tens of thousands of dollars.
• 20% reduction in sewer rates for residents – from $660.98 per EDU down to $528.78 per EDU, reflected on this fall’s tax notice under the label BIG MTN SEWER.
• Savings of more than $78,000 in the first year alone – from avoided treatment of unnecessary clear water.

Beyond the direct financial benefits, the project also delivers environmental gains:

• Reduced pollutant discharges into the Whitefish River and Flathead Lake, helping curb nutrient loading.
• Improved performance at the Whitefish wastewater treatment plant by reducing dilution and stabilizing incoming flows.
• Conservation of energy and resources by cutting down on unnecessary pumping and treatment.

At a time when people often wonder where their dollars go, the Big Mountain Sewer District’s project is a clear example of smart planning and proactive leadership paying off — in cleaner water, healthier rivers, and lighter bills for residents.