Council moves ahead with $500,000 water project

By Jennifer McBride / Leader Staff

ST. IGNATIUS — The St. Ignatius city council voted 4-0 Tuesday night to move forward with phase I of a water project which is to cost taxpayers an extra $2 a month on their water bills. Final approval could be contingent on public input in a meeting on April 22 at 7 p.m. in city hall.

The $500,000 project will pay for a new well, storage facility, and water distribution system between the north and south sides of Mission creek. The change is essential, said engineering consultant Fred Phillips of Great West engineering, not only to future developments but also public safety.

"The issue is that you're already deficient for your own system," Phillips said. "The water supply law is pretty cut and dry."

The current demand for water in Mission far outstrips the storage available, Phillips said. According to Montana state law, he explained, St. Ignatius needs 425,000 more gallons of water per minute to meet current requirements. Currently, the city only has 300,000 g.p.m. available. As long as the storage is deficient, he said, no new developments can be built. He gave the example of Thompson Falls, where two developments have been delayed because of lack of water.

Beyond the storage problems is distribution. Phillips said both of St. Ignatius' existing wells are on the south side of Mission Creek while the majority of the homes and businesses in Mission are on the north side. Only one water main connects the two. If a disaster happened, the majority of St. Ignatius could lose access to water, which would leave the town vulnerable to fire. One business burning down, Phillips said, could have a major impact on the town's economy — and local insurance rates.

"People think as long as there's water flowing through their taps, there's not a problem," Phillips said, "but that's not true. Not all system problems are so obvious."

The new well and storage tank would be on the north side of the river.

In order to trim costs, the council removed a proposed pump house on one of Mission's current wells from the plan. The rest of the money, the council hopes, will be paid for by grants (which will require matching funds) and low interest loans. The city council, Phillips said, is trying to keep costs down because of the recent sewer renovation project.

"Cutting even 50 cents is worth it," said councilman Ray Jensen, as the council knocked the projected fund increase from $2.50 to $2.00.

Council member Amy Miller was not present for the vote.