Frenchtown neighborhood seeks water district to address $5M shortfall

"We were not shocked, our system is 50 years old when we originally did the development," said Curtis Spindler, the vice president of the HOA. "... We are way out of compliance with state regulation for our water supply, our water storage and a lot of our lines."

Springer said the water system was first created in the 1970s when the neighborhood had approximately 50 homes. Now, the system serves almost 100 homes. 

Forty-three people in the 99-parcel neighborhood signed onto a petition to create the water district, which would manage the water system through an elected board and would be allowed to collect property taxes.

Missoula County has not created a new water district in "quite some time," according to Sam Scott, Missoula County's assistant recording director.

He said the neighborhood must take a vote to solidify the new district, which on Thursday was set to coincide with the federal general election on Nov. 3. A majority of residents must vote yes to create the district.  

Spindler told the Missoulian that the system needs significant improvements, including a new well, a water tower, several new fire hydrants and improved water mains.

"We are one catastrophic break from being on bottled water for awhile," Spindler said after the meeting. 

Currently, the neighborhood only has two hydrants, but a fire inspector told Spindler the area needs approximately eight more hydrants, and new water lines to accommodate the needed water for fire protection. 

Several water lines are also failing. Spindler said in the last year the HOA has spent $100,000 on repairs, and the failures sometimes leave neighbors without water for an extended period of time. 

The HOA has raised fees by $300 this year to help address the need, but he said the money is not enough, and the HOA can no longer fund other neighborhood projects like dust abatement. 

"Long story short, we are about $5 million short," Spindler told the Missoula County commissioners, who approved the plan Thursday to move forward with possibly creating the water district. 

Alongside generating taxes, the district would also be eligible for grants to improve the water system. It could also secure easements on nearby state land to place new water infrastructure. 

Residents can also protest the formation of the district. More information can be found at the Missoula County Clerk and Recorder's Office.