State OK’s system for Boulder well, city to review ordinances

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has given the green light for Boulder to begin installing a disinfection system on its backup well as the city works to remedy a possible source of contamination on one of its two primary wells. 

The potential source of contamination comes from an irrigation ditch near Well 3, a primary well, located east of Jefferson High School. While tests remain negative for contamination, in this case, potentially from micro-particulates and not viruses or bacteria, the proximity of the ditch to the well pushed it over the point system threshold used by the state for well safety evaluations. 

The disinfection system installation will likely begin this month, according to Senior Construction Engineer Alan Erickson with Morrison-Maierle at the Dec. 21 City Council meeting.