by Michael J. Marino
After a nearly four-year long process, the Worden-Ballantine Yellowstone County (WBYC) Water & Sewer District said on Monday that residents can expect their tap water to be safe to drink within the next six to seven months.
Back in August 2019, the district alerted customers to stop drinking tap water after the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) concluded the system was contaminated with unsafe levels of nitrates. Since then, WBYC has embarked on a five-phase project to drill four new wells in the area to remedy the situation.
This February, it was reported all the wells were drilled, but the district was awaiting for an order of screens, which prevent rock fragments and other debris from entering the well while still allowing water to enter.
At the district’s March 13 board meeting, Administrator Sandy Kust said the well screens had arrived. Gary’s Drilling began installing them on March 14. Next, she stated they will be putting transducers – devices that measure the water pressure – down the following week. The rest of the work to complete Phase 1 of the project, which could take up to a month, will follow.
Phase 2 of the project involves applying for water rights through the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), which can sometimes take up to 18 months, but the district feels confident the process will not exceed six months.
Kust said, “At the end of Phase 2, we will be able to serve safe drinking water to the people.”
“That’s the best news we’ve heard in three years,” declared WBYC Vice-President, Judy Becker.
The WBYC Board of Directors meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the district office, and such meetings are open to the public.
Clean Drinking Water For Worden
Forecast in Near Future
