FAQs

Public infrastructure has a limited lifespan and must be maintained, upgraded, and replaced over time. Much of the infrastructure in Lolo is old, outdated, worn, undersized, or otherwise inadequate. Also, some requirements are required by regulatory standards and drivers.

As the rates and connection fees are currently set, this is in part “yes”. Rates should be set based on system demands (equitable rates) to ensure that a customer pays their share. Also current connection fees do not represent the impacts related to growth.

Again, in part “yes”. For the reasons above, the current rate structure is not equitable and has no relation to the type of user, or the amount of water/sewer demand. An updated and equitable rate structure is recommended.

No. Some level of improvement is required regardless of whether developmetn is allowed or not in Lolo. This is to address the defi ciencies that existing currently. Sizing the improvements for growth allows for additional new customers to help pay for the projects.

No. Combined W/WW charges in Lolo are low comparatively to other similar communities.

No. Missoula County operates the water and wastewater systems through an RSID and have an obligation to operate the system properly and within compliance. The system is currently out of compliance.

This is a land use planning or comprehensive planning issue. It is likely that in due time, Lolo and the County will work on a new comp plan to address these kinds of concerns. However, this is outside the scope of issues being addressed through the W/WW improvements. Infrastructure upgrades are needed regardless of the land use planning done.

No, and no. Many Lolo customers are currently unserved and on their own wells and septic systems. Many have asked to be connected or asked to add a second dwelling (mother-in-law apartment) and have been turned down due to lack of capacity.

Generally, no. The recommended projects represent the most cost e ective and resposible alternatives to address existing defi ciencies and capacity needs caused by proposed growth.

Yes. Missoula County is pursuing federal and state opportunities including earmarks with federal representatives. It is possible that grants or special funding becomes available making the project far less costly. But Missoula County has to assume the worst-case at this point and work for the best case.

Most communities meter their water usage at the customer level. When doing so, it allows for equitable rate structures that charge for water and sewer based on the actual demands placed on the systems. There is currently no plan to meter the entire system, though it is likely to be required at some point.

Details have not been worked out, but it is anticpated that it will be somewhere between $1.5MM-$2MM for a complete metering project.

It can have a more equitable rate structure based on assumed land use and other metrics. But, without metering, no rate structure is truly equitable.

Estimates are based on historical trends, knowledge of local property and development interest, and educated projections. For the purposes of planning, it was estimated that short term growth (next 5-10 yrs) could conservatively add 400 new homes and, longer term (10-20 years) could add another 400 homes. This should be reevaluated on a regular basis (every 3-5 years) and adjustments made.

No. More improvements will be required in the future as public infrastructure is constantly degrading, wearing out, and all will eventually require upgrades. No community in the world is ever done with upgrades to sewer, water, streets, etc. Good planning, maintenance, and care can extend the life of all things.

That is a subject for another meeting and a decision the County would have to make. Many communities have tried and failed to pass a resort tax. It is not a guaranteed method of raising funds for infrastructure.

Yes, improvements are needed whether there is growth or not to comply with regulatory standards and facilities’ unavoidable wear and tear.

It will occur at its own pace and is not in the control of the County.

Voting is not an option for the formation of an RSID.

This is still to be determined and there should be an opportunity for interested customers to weigh in on how the future rates may be set up.

Connection fees are paid after final plat approval. A 200-lot subdivision is typically built in phases, so fees are paid as each phase is platted. For example, the Old Lolo School subdivision is being developed in two phases—one with 56 connections, and the second with approximately 70.

There are currently three subdivisions in process. The Hwy 12 subdivision includes approximately 200 units, the Old Lolo School subdivision includes around 126 units, and the number of connections for the proposed commercial subdivision is unknown. One developer is also requesting around 70 connections for apartments (not a subdivision). A car wash is also being proposed and would require roughly 50 connections.

It will take a few years to construct the infrastructure needed to add capacity. The timeline for developers to request connections is uncertain. Based on current interest, the first 200 connections may be used within a couple of years. Full use of all 400 connections may take five to ten years.

There is no known rule requiring development to stop at 80% capacity. That threshold is generally when planning efforts for future infrastructure improvements begin. If any statutory requirement exists, it has not been identified. 

Yes. Other options have been reviewed and priced. The currently planned system is the most cost-effective option at an estimated $6.6 million. A previously evaluated alternative was estimated to cost over $10 million.

Yes. A denial letter from DEQ is available here, as well as under "Documents." The county requested a deviation to allow for a smaller, more cost-effective system. DEQ denied the request. The county is aware of the system's deficiencies and is proactively addressing them before any formal action is required by DEQ.

The current project includes only 400 new homes. The water system could be upgraded to allow for another 400 connections. Based on discussions with school officials, the building can accommodate approximately 150 additional students. With an average of 0.3 to 0.5 students per household, this would cover 300 to 500 homes. Not all new connections will necessarily be residential. Additional facilities would be needed to serve more than 150 additional students.