Dear Editor,
If you live in Big Sky, you’ve heard a lot about sewers lately. I’m a civil engineer in Big Sky and I’m writing to simplify the story! I’ll start with this: I like flushing, and I like fishing. Those two things are connected.
We’ve learned that some existing septic systems may be affecting water quality in the Gallatin River. Big Sky has a state‑of‑the‑art wastewater treatment plant that does not discharge treated water into the Gallatin, yet many structures and homes still rely on older septic systems that seep minimally treated sewage into the ground.
The proposed Gallatin sewer line would replace many of those systems. It would run along Highway 191 from the high school to Highway 64, then up 64 to the wastewater plant. Treated water would then return to the 191 corridor to be used for irrigation or groundwater recharge. The Firelight Meadows subdivision also needs to connect to the wastewater plant to replace its aging septic.
Septic systems can work in rural, low‑density settings. But once you have a concentrated neighborhood, sewer is more efficient, offers better protection for rivers, and is more reliable for homeowners.
The sewer projects face hurdles like permitting, funding, environmental analysis, and public scrutiny. But if we care about our landscape, our water, and our wildlife in Big Sky, we’ll put our “magic sauce” towards state-of-the-art flushing and fishing.
Laynee Jones
Big Sky, MT
