Neighbors Say Politics, Water Don’t Mix Lawmaker Steps In To Help Developer Get Ok For Septic System Near Aquifer

State water quality watchdogs are set to approve a huge septic system near Twin Lakes which they admit poses risks to nearby drinking water.

The move comes after state Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene, leaned on Division of Environmental Quality workers on behalf of Twin Lakes Village developer Charlie Potts.

About two dozen furious neighbors charge the controversial move is the result of political meddling and threatens their wells.

“We’re talking about human waste here,” said Mike Browning, a 55-year-old machinist living 1,500 feet from the site.

Potts bought the 10-acre property along Scarcello Road a few years ago to handle waste from as many as 400 existing and future homes near Twin Lakes.

He chose the site to meet a Panhandle Health District rule that sewage from future development be located away from the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.

The site is a quarter-mile from the U.S. Geologic Survey boundary of the aquifer.

However, studies determined that unspecified levels of nutrients from the waste are expected to hit ground water within four years and travel to the aquifer through saturated sands and gravel, according to a memo from DEQ hydrogeologist Brian Painter.

DEQ workers considered killing the project, said water quality specialist Gary Gaffney. But they couldn’t because the site technically is not directly above the aquifer, he said.

Typically, developments over the aquifer are allowed only one septic tank per five acres.

“We’ve concluded there’d be some kind of impact to the ground water,” Gaffney said. “We’re concerned about it. But they (Potts) acted in good faith.”

Although the increase in nutrients would be “moderately low,” the state agency said similar sites should be avoided in the future.

In the interim, DEQ workers proposed establishing conditions for the septic system and requiring Potts to sign a “consent form.”

Potts objected. Enter Alltus, who met with the agency two or three times and was included in months of correspondence.

In an April 1 letter to DEQ, Alltus told Gaffney he does not have the authority to force Potts to sign a consent form.

“I thought that at our last meeting we had pretty much ironed everything out and the problems had been addressed and solved,” Alltus wrote. “I recently talked to Charlie Potts and they are obviously not.”

Negotiations for an alternative agreement still are under way, Gaffney said.

Alltus maintains he merely helped a constituent who was getting the run-around from bureaucrats.

He also said Potts will be required to keep nutrient levels at or below drinking water standards. A “zero impact” standard is often used in aquifer cases, Alltus said.

“Drinking water is a good standard,” Alltus said. “I don’t see where there’s a problem.”

DEQ workers contend Alltus’ influence did not drive their decision. But internal computer memos show DEQ workers referred to Alltus correspondence as “nastygrams” and workers admit his presence was discomforting.

“When a legislator is in the room, you always notice,” said water quality supervisor Gary Gaffney. “Sometimes, you resent it.”

Potts said the risks are minor and he plans to monitor groundwater for contamination.

“We know it isn’t perfect, but heaven’s sakes, if we can’t guarantee perfection that’s no reason to stop it,” he said.

Meanwhile, assurances from Potts, Alltus and regulators mean nothing to neighbors, who complain they already are near another site used for unloading septic waste.

“We’re just a dumping ground for Kootenai County,” said Karen Goodlander, 28. “And I have a six-month-old daughter who has to drink this water.”

The neighbors plan to attend a county hearing on the project Thursday night.

“Somebody’s got to stop this,” said neighbor Lois Loftin. “If we keep this up, we’re not going to have an aquifer.”

, DataTimes