Something Stinks Near The Lagoon

Have you ever wondered where that water went after you flushed it? How about all the wastewater that comes from your sinks and showers? While to some it's a mystery they try their best to avoid, others understand the frustrations of home septic systems. So knowing what happens to some septic tanks after a flood can make some cringe.

Floods can cause all kinds of contamination as not only septic systems can overflow, become damaged or lift from the ground. What might not be known to many is that lagoons are also a danger during a flood. The Valley County sanitarian put out warnings to residents on the need to test wells after flooding and to allow the ground to dry up before working on a septic tank. But what about a few of our local lagoons?

While not completely uncommon to subdivisions, the days of digging a hole in the ground to create a lagoon are over. Two lagoons are located near Glasgow. One is up toward the subdivision behind the bowling alley. As it's on higher ground, it doesn't create much of an issue. The second lagoon has caused a bit of a stink with flooding this year and from the flooding in 2011.

The second lagoon sits in a tight position, between the Cherry Creek Dyke and the Glasgow Levee. Sitting between the lagoon and the levees is Dean Armbrister. He owns a piece of property that has a little history behind it. At one point in time the land was owned by the Great Northern and the captain's house sat there. While it may not be the original house, an older house still stands, unfortunately the 2011 flood has left that home gutted and destroyed.

Armbrister explained that the flood devastated his home, as waters sat all the way up to the eaves of the home and sat for weeks. While flood waters were devastating, what probably caused more issues were the neighboring lagoon waters overflowing onto his property, making cleanup a little bit more expensive and time consuming. Human waste tainted the property and he had issues with his wells.

While the flooding in late August wasn't nearly as devastating, it still left his property with a few feet of water and a big stink. Armbrister went to the county and the county sanitarian to do something about the lagoon that sits next to his property. Unfortunately, the lagoon is privately owned.

No one has been able to confirm the amount of people hooked up to the lagoon, but the historical records show that the Stahls bought the location in 1958 from Great Northern with hopes to build a subdivision. An easement for a sewer system was applied for by Irvin Stahl to be located down Cindy Lane for a Stahl's Sunnyside Subdivision. That record was dated in 1960, and a second easement was dated in 1961.

The conditions listed in that easement state that it would remain in serviceable condition until sewer facilities were installed by the city of Glasgow, or another public body – but that in any event no later than Dec. 31, 1965, the sewerline would be in use after the date and maintenance should be the responsibility of its users. The issues that began then have remained for 50 years. Many of the lots are too small for a personal septic system –leaving the lagoon that was built years ago, before rules and regulations to remain in use.

When Armbrister bought the property he wasn't fully aware of the issues a flood could bring onto his property. When that hard reality hit in 2011, he made a few calls to the Valley County Sanitarian Cam Shipp and to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fix the problem before it happened again. Waters from the lagoon flowed into Cherry Creek and onto some of the fairground land. Armbrister said that nothing really came from the phone calls. The unexpected flash food last month brought a full reminder of the dangers from the neighboring lagoon.

"I want to know who's responsible for that lagoon?" Armbrister said.

Shipp explained that the homeowners on the system are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the lagoon. He said that the county can't really do much on private property, unless there's a health and safety issue. So the floods triggered him to the scene to warn locals about possible well contamination and to steer clear of standing water and floodwaters. He explained that a few conversations with the state have revealed that evaporation and leakage are a part of lagoons.

Shipp also mentioned that the county commissioners have talked to an engineering company about diverting water in a flood situation. He said the water would be diverted into Cherry Creek. He explained that this wouldn't mean there was no contamination from a disaster event; it would just help keep waters diverted from entering private property.

Tom Bovington of the DEQ said that the type of issues seen on the Cherry Creek lagoon are something that other communities on flood plains experience. He said that there was an inquiry to hook up more units several years back, but that was denied as contemporary standards are much higher than they were in 1960. A study would have to take place and very expensive upgrades would have to be made in order to add onto the existing lagoon.

A non-infiltrating, no discharge lagoon works on evaporation and infiltration. This lagoon, which isn't really marked, looks much like a pond. While there appears to be no lining.

"Historically it was the way to do things," Bovington said.

He explained that another lagoon located in Basin had similar problems as it's located next to the water. Bill Barr, also of the DEQ, visited the lagoon after the 2011 flood. He explained that while they can't verify if there's any lining in the lagoon, it is possible that at the time they may have used clay or bentonite for a natural liner. He explained that back then the criteria was different for a sewer system, in particularly in rural areas.

He said the system build would allow waste to sink to the bottom and it would also work as a natural seal and convert materials into solids that would eventually degrade. He said that even without enzymes or other ways to treat the wastewater the materials eventually break down or evaporate. He explained that is why the smells could become stronger in the spring, from the process of breaking down.

With contamination a concern, Barr thought that the issue might be how much leakage or seepage could be going on in a year. Only so much is allowed in a year. He explained that issues on the lagoon like erosion, weeds and wear and tear already show a need for a significant amount of work. The question still remains on who is responsible for the lagoon.

While there is a Cherry Creek Sanitary Lagoon Corp., Bovington stated that the three directors and the president were unaware they were on the committee for maintenance. So the biggest potential problem, especially with talk of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) stepping in, is what could the homeowners responsible do?

Shipp explained that the homeowners could be liable for the costs, which could easily add up to the million dollar mark or more. He said that there could be talk of annexation into the city, but if the lagoon were abandoned the state may have to step in to help with the clean up. Barr said that a large septic tank could be set up, but it would server fewer than 15 homes. Either way these resolutions could be costly.

"They'll need to go through a review and have an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)," Barr said. Which would also be an additional cost to homeowners that sit on the subdivision.

Barr added that the DEQ helps fund public entities for such projects, but because this is a private ownership, funding could be difficult to come by.