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Public hearing held on Billings project to build reservoirs and treatment plant at 4519 Hesper Road
Summary
City of Billings seeks a land-use exception for a new reservoir and treatment plant on roughly 300 acres at 4519 Hesper Road to provide a backup water source; city representative said reservoirs will store 30–40 days of water, the source will be the Yellowstone River via the BBWA Canal, and the plant could be online in 2027. Residents raised concerns about flooding, well impacts and local traffic.
Florida County Commissioners opened a public hearing Oct. 1 on a City of Billings request to use public land contrary to zoning at 4519 Hesper Road to build two reservoirs and a membrane treatment facility.
Nicole, Planning Department staff, told the board the hearing is required under state law when a public agency seeks a land use contrary to local zoning and said the parcel covers approximately 300 acres owned by the City of Billings that will accommodate a reservoir and a treatment plant. She said the site is the former JTL gravel site (now Knife River) and that the project aims to serve the growing west end of Billings and provide a 30–40 day supply in case the river treatment plant is out of service.
Mac Fogelsung, representing the City of Billings, said the project is intended to create a resilient second source of supply and described the treatment facility as a membrane plant. "We're looking to have the plant online probably the 2027," Fogelsung said. He added the water source will be Yellowstone River water transmitted through the BBWA Canal and noted the reservoirs allow storage when diversions are not available.
Resident John Flanagan, who lives at 4333 and 4347 Summer Lane, said he supports the project but raised three concerns: possible flooding of his property and the nearby zoo, impacts to private wells and groundwater-level changes affecting full basements. Fogelsung responded that the city has conducted regional groundwater monitoring ahead of construction and that state permitting for the reservoirs requires dam analysis and other design work to mitigate extreme-storm and fill scenarios.
Joanne Beakler (4832 Cheval) also raised concerns about well impacts and increased traffic on 40 Eighth near a school bus stop. The chair closed the hearing and said no action would be taken at the meeting; commissioners will pass public comments to the city and staff.
