“The conservation community felt… there was commitment toward immediately moving towards a discharge permit to commensurate with treatment levels expressed in Phase 1. And now that that has been clarified to say no, there is no evidence that the board is moving toward getting a discharge permit… that makes the conservation community feel much better,” said Alsentzer.
Attorney Guy Alsentzer with Upper Missouri Waterkeepers remained in communication with W&S board member Peter Manka. Alsentzer addressed the board, thanking them.
Alsentzer described confusion on the part of the conservation community in thinking that the W&S district was going to immediately move toward a permit to discharge into the Gallatin River.
Alsentzer further encouraged the board to be proactive and forward thinking – making decisions now which allow for flexibility later. Indirect potable reuse could be the solution, he explained.
“You know you’re not going to have enough water in the next five to 10 years, period. You know you’re going to grow in terms of your gross disposal needs from this facility. The easy way – the gray water technology is to put it into the river. That’s going to be a fight. That’s not fun,” he said.
Membrane bio reactor (MBR), the technology set to be used in Phase 1, is the first step in creating any kind of foundation for indirect potable reuse, Scott Buecker, senior project manager with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services said.
In an effort spurred by Board President Packy Cronin, the district will be creating a proposal in pursuit of funding from the Big Sky Resort Tax board in order to doa hydrogeologic study or a “fate and transport” study of the feasibility of recharging the aquifer by injection of treated water.
“Why don’t we do that fate and transport study on this side, that side or whatever so we can wrap our heads around this?” Cronin asked.
Board member Mike DuCuennois said it’s what environmentalist groups have requested and the board should listen.
“They don’t have to drink our water,” Big Sky County Water & Sewer District General Manager Ron Edwards quipped.
Board member Brian Wheeler pointed out that if the board moves forward with a plan of reuse it is likely another group of people will surface which will be just as protective of their drinking water as Alsentzer is of the Gallatin River.
“What we are doing is further defining the disposal options. Snowmaking – this is another option that is on the table which we haven’t even looked at mostly because we’re all freaked out by the hydrogeology,” DuCuennois explained.
The board decided to move forward with an application to request funding for further study from the Big Sky Resort Tax board. It is estimated the cost would be around $300,000.