Monday evening more than 80 residents of Thompson Falls joined the city board in an informational meeting about the proposed first two phases of the city's wastewater system improvement project. Environmental and financial impacts as well as planned project implementation were discussed at length.

In fashion with most topics that require action and financial commitment, strong arguments were made for both sides of the project.

Shawn Sorenson, Sanders County Sanitarian, opened the meeting expressing his concerns over why improving the system is so important. He commented that approximately 560 residences and three schools need system improvements, and these options are limited because of small lot sizes. Sorenson explained that these enhancements are necessary for environmental as well as property value health.

"We are dumping poorly treated sewage under us," and that, which has not been adequately treated, is seeping into the soil, he commented. "That concentration in such a small area is incredible" leaving an issue of potential groundwater contamination. He added that in the last two years, many real estate sales fell through because potential buyers could not secure a lender or get an approved appraisal without having a suitable sewage system in place, nor able to secure guarantee that a new system could be put in place.

Falls resident Lynette Elliott requested hard core proof that contamination is occurring from leaching sewage. She feels that there is no reason to hop into a $14.9 million project if there is no proof that contamination is occurring. "I want to be convinced," she expressed. "So, convince me!" Fellow audience members agreed.

Sorenson responded that although there has not been sampling done, acceptable practices have been developed to protect public health and wastewater treatment and disposal is one of those practices. He commented that in 1968 Thompson Falls quit discharging raw sewage into the Clark Fork River, not because they had proof of contamination, but because the practice of unproper disposal would most likely be having negative impacts on the environment.

Finances, the other highly contested topic of discussion, owned many of the 120 meeting minutes. Those located within Phase 1 and 2 boundaries can expect to see a $25 a month increase in their monthly base rate. This brings the monthly rate to $65 for residents and $70 for commercial properties (plus $4.10 per 1,000 gallons after the first 2,000 gallons for these properties). In addition, each tax identified parcel will be subject to a total principal assessed fee of $4,665, which can be paid off in 20 years at $308 annually. These rates are expected to take effect in December 2020.

The city has secured grant funding for 67 percent of the project and is hopeful that three grants are available to help offset costs of the principal assessment fee for the elderly (over 61 years of age) and low to middle income residents as well.

Adding cost to a monthly fee is never inviting and many residents are unsure how they will afford such an increase in their sewer bill. In addition, they feel there will be many additional costs incurred as "unknowns" always seem to pop-up in these instances.

Great West Engineering's Craig Pozega and Carrie Gardner, joined by Bond Attorney Nathan Bilyeu took time to explain that the package includes resurfacing of roadways, sidewalks and costs associated with all sewer hook-ups. Pozenga shared that although there is no guarantee, he does not anticipate any huge financial surprises as their "cost estimate is based on bid projects" and they are "using the best available information with a contingency to stay on budget."

Although many spoke in disagreement with the proposed plan, Mark Sheets commented that since 1982 he has heard of the need for a new system, as this one has been in place since the 1940s. He stated, "The price just keeps going up and systems keep failing. This is something we just have to do." He fears that if the grant money is turned away, it may never come back around, leaving an even more expensive project to fix in the future, not to mention how it would negatively affect property values to not have the work done.

Funding sources for the project include USDA Rural Development (RD) grants comprising 61 percent of the total, a proposed Treasure State Endowment Program grant (5%), Department of Natural Resources and Conservation grant (1%), RD Revenue Bonds (22%), RD SID Bonds (10%) and funding by local residents totaling 1 percent.

The project is slated to begin in February with design, advertising for bids occurring in November 2019, construction planned to start in April 2020 for Phase 1 and April 2021 for Phase 2 and be fully complete in December 2021.

The current waste system serves only 20 percent of Falls city residents, according to the city. The remaining 80 percent use individual septic systems, which do not comply with current treatment standards and raise concerns with threats to public health as they continue to fail.