County to study problems with North Havre sewer line

The Hill County Commission is putting out a request for engineers to look at what could be a problem with a major sewer line, and see what, if anything, needs to be done with the situation. Commissioner Kathy Bessette said Wednesday that a line that runs from North Havre to the Havre Wastewater Treatment Plant under the Milk River has become exposed. "We're just afraid that, in the early spring, runoff and ice jams will damage the pipe itself … ," she said. "We want to do a study to see if we're right." The pipe was put in place in the 1950s, and work was done to replace some problem sections in the 1970s. Bessette said there appear to have been no problems since then, but something now has exposed the pipe. If the water level is low enough, the pipe can clearly be seen, she said. She said that the cause of the pipe being exposed, as well as any potential problems from its exposure, is unknown at this point. "Hopefully, (with the study), we'll find out answers to our questions," she said. The county will advertise a request for proposals from engineers, as well as mail out requests to engineers who have notified the county they wish to be included on its bidding list. Interested firms will send representatives to Havre Friday, April 30, to study the site, and proposals from the firms are due Monday, May 10. Bessette said the county has $15,000 ava i l a b l e i n Tr e a s u r e S t a t e Endowment Program funds, administered by the state Department of Commerce, to use in paying for the study. The $15,000 grant requires a $15,000 local match. Once a firm is hired and the site studied, the county will determine what to do next, Bessette said. "Now, we're going to find out if it's something to worry about, and then we'll worry about where to get the money (for any needed repairs)," she said.