Columbia Falls city sewer and water rates could see a bump in the coming years. The city will need an additional water storage tank as well as a water main line.

The city currently pumps water from its three wells in the city limits to a tank near the Cedar Creek Reservoir. But with significant growth on the horizon, it will need another water tank in the next 10 years.

That comes with an estimated price tag of about $8 million.

The last time the city raised water rates was in 2018. 

The city is doing a more extensive engineering analysis of the water and sewer systems in the coming months, as required by the Montana Land Use Planning Act.

The sewer system, while it is undergoing upgrades currently, will also need additional work.

Like the water rates, Columbia Falls has some of the lowest sewer rates in the state. The last time they were raised was also 2018.

Right now the city is looking good as far as its debt service is concerned and it does have room to borrow money. 

All told, the city has a modest $1.45 million in debt.

The biggest loan is one for the sewer system at $382,500 which pays off in 2045. It’s at a low interest rate, too, at just 2.5%.

The city council took no immediate action on the matter, as it awaits final engineering reports.

In other city news:

Councilwoman Jenny Lovering said she now favors a geotechnical study of a slope near her home. The slope slid in 2024 sending large trees teetering over homes below Second Avenue East as heavy rains destabilized the area in June 2024.

The city had to take emergency action to have the trees cut down before they tipped over.

The city public works department recently recommended a $35,000 boring and geotechnical study of the slope.

Lovering initially balked at the cost, but after speaking to city staff said she now understands the issue better and suggested the city embark on the study.

The council will take up the matter at its next meeting on Aug. 18.