Kalispell City Council will consider adopting a project plan that would hasten upgrades to the municipality’s wastewater treatment plant.  

Council meets on Monday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

The city sends about 70% of its biosolids to Glacier Gold Composting and the rest to the Flathead County Landfill. But Council is looking to move away from composting its biosolids, owing to public concerns surrounding forever chemicals, or PFAS, in the end product and the closure of Glacier Gold Composting’s Olney facility.  

To make the switch, though, new equipment and other upgrades are needed to adhere to the landfill’s biosolids standards.  

The city hired engineering consulting firm AE2S to design the project in August 2024. The firm determined it would benefit from a different construction method, which involves hiring a contractor earlier in the design process. 

The move would help meet the city's deadline of early fall 2026, more quickly get a hold of construction materials and better manage project risk, according to a memo from Public Works Director Susie Turner.  

Council voted last week to extend its agreement with Glacier Gold, who will keep its doors open while the city works to complete the upgrades.   

Biosolids are a product of the wastewater treatment process. The solids can be treated to create compost and natural fertilizer, but recent studies have shown that PFAS and other pollutants can contaminate the product and pose health risks to humans.   

Unlike in drinking water, PFAS in biosolids is not federally regulated.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].