Missoula County officials discuss groundwater testing plan for subdivision approval

The Missoula County Commissioners held a public meeting on May 29, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding water availability for a proposed subdivision. The meeting focused on the need for adequate evidence of water quantity and quality before granting preliminary plat approval for the development.

The primary agenda item involved two options for assessing water availability. The first option proposed drilling four test wells—one on each of the new parcels—to monitor their productivity and any potential impacts on neighboring wells. The second option suggested abandoning the well drilling altogether in favor of using cisterns for water hauling, which would eliminate the need for wells entirely.

Commissioners expressed concerns about the adequacy of the existing water supply and the potential impact on neighboring properties. They discussed the importance of having clear conditions for approval, emphasizing that any decision should be based on objective measurements of water output and the absence of adverse effects on adjacent wells.

A significant point of discussion was the timeline for reaching a consensus on the conditions of approval. Commissioners agreed that the involved parties, including the applicant and county staff, should collaborate to establish these conditions before the next public hearing. The goal is to have a plan ready for review by June 19, 2025, allowing for public comment at the next meeting scheduled for June 26, 2025.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensure that all stakeholders would work together to finalize the necessary conditions, with the understanding that further public hearings would be required to address any new information that arises. The commissioners emphasized the importance of transparency and community involvement in the decision-making process regarding water resources for the proposed subdivision.