Faced with a fast approaching deadline to rebuild its wastewater recovery facility, the city of Polson plans to break ground on the $17.2-million project later this month.

On March 20, city commissioners approved a bid from Montana-based firm Swank Enterprises to complete the construction portion of the project.

City Manager Mark Shrives said crews anticipate starting work in mid-April, with a final completion timeline of 18 months.

The $12.2-million construction contract came in about $300,000 below engineer estimates – a situation officials hope will hold true for other aspects of the facility.

“We’re in pretty good shape budget wise,” Shrives said.

Funding the project so far has caused city water rates to nearly double for the average user since 2015, rising from an estimated $28.38 to $56.48 per month according to figures provided by the city.

The increases were implemented with a multi-tiered process. Shrives said officials will reassess the city’s finances toward the end of the project and decide on any additional rate hikes.

The city was charged with improving its wastewater treatment facility after it was cited in 2008 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to meet discharge standards on multiple occasions.

The city later agreed to pay a $40,200 civil penalty and revamp its treatment plant. While the city’s current discharge permit expires at the end of 2017, Shrives said they stand eligible to receive an extension if construction is underway on a new facility.

A 2015 environmental impact statement prepared by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality states that the current facility discharges wastewater into Flathead River just downstream of Flathead Lake in an area used for boating, swimming and other recreational activities.

“Because of a lack of disinfection and frequent permit violations, there is opportunity for the public to come into contact with inadequately treated and disinfected wastewater,” the report states.

To comply with required discharge standards, which are established by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and enforced by the EPA, the city will install a new headworks and filtration area as well as a sequencing batch reactor that breaks down waste using biological processes.

Shrives said the technical elements of the facility were pre-ordered and cost about $1.1 million. He said they will be installed by Swank Enterprises after the groundwork for the project is completed.

The city plans to finance the majority of the project through a $14.3 million loan from the Montana State Revolving Fund, which will be paid back through user fee increases. Additional funding sources include $1.3 million in grants and a $1.2-million local contribution from the city.