Ranch County Water and Sewer District
The Ranch Subdivision replaced the entire water system via an RSID Grant in 2008. In doing so, the creation of a separate Water District was required. The Ranch County Water District was formed and is governed by a Board of Directors from our subdivision. The board is managed separately from the Ranch HOA Board, although there are no rules restricting service on both. For a map of our service area, click here. One final note, we have no central sewer system (even though it's in the name), all homes have their own septic systems; it seems the state wants them named that way when business names are filed. New homes require permitting from Flathead county for septic.
Billing is now handled by Chrysler-Gordon, PLLC in Bigfork. Phone: (406) 837-5461
Your Current Water District Board:
Patty McNulty-Peck - President Term Expires June, 2025
Lanee' Earhart - Secretary/Treasurer Term Expires June, 2027
Bill Thomas - Board Member Term Expires June, 2027
Stacy Crouch Board Member Term Expires June, 2025
Gus Martel Board Member Term Expires June, 2025
Board positions are elected for four year terms and elections are held every two years.
Mark Smolen is the Operator for the District. He manages the day to day operation, monitoring of the system and monthly water quality tests.
If you see or suspect a leak, please call Mark at: 406-407-0301. Please remember, the District is responsible for any leak up to the meter, the owner is responsible for the line from the meter to/in the home.
Click here for the Rules and Regulations of the Ranch County Water District (PDF).
Click here for the Explanation of Hook-up Rules and Costs (PDF).
Click here for the By-Laws of the Ranch County Water District (PDF).
Information for Realtors, Property Sellers/Buyers
We have compiled this document to answer most of the frequently asked questions regarding the HOA and Water District. Please click this link and read the document prior to sending questions. Thank you!
Billing is now handled by Chrysler-Gordon, PLLC in Bigfork. Phone: (406) 837-5461
Your Current Water District Board:
Patty McNulty-Peck - President Term Expires June, 2025
Lanee' Earhart - Secretary/Treasurer Term Expires June, 2027
Bill Thomas - Board Member Term Expires June, 2027
Stacy Crouch Board Member Term Expires June, 2025
Gus Martel Board Member Term Expires June, 2025
Board positions are elected for four year terms and elections are held every two years.
Mark Smolen is the Operator for the District. He manages the day to day operation, monitoring of the system and monthly water quality tests.
If you see or suspect a leak, please call Mark at: 406-407-0301. Please remember, the District is responsible for any leak up to the meter, the owner is responsible for the line from the meter to/in the home.
Click here for the Rules and Regulations of the Ranch County Water District (PDF).
Click here for the Explanation of Hook-up Rules and Costs (PDF).
Click here for the By-Laws of the Ranch County Water District (PDF).
Information for Realtors, Property Sellers/Buyers
We have compiled this document to answer most of the frequently asked questions regarding the HOA and Water District. Please click this link and read the document prior to sending questions. Thank you!
|
We are now offering ACH draft from your checking account! |
We can now offer automatic check draft via ACH for your water bill. Here are some important points to know:
- You will still get a bill emailed or mailed to you for review so you have time to ask questions or dispute a charge before it takes place.
- The draft will take place on or about the usual date the bill is due.
- There is no extra charge!
- You don't have to waste money on stamps!
- Never be late again!
- Simply fill out THIS FORM, include a voided check from the account you wish to draw from, and return it to us/Chrysler & Gordon.
Special Request for Emergency Contact Info to our Members
In our most recent notice, we requested your emergency contact info in case we have an issue with our water.
To those of you who responded, thank you. If you change numbers, sell your home, please let us know using the form below.
We are requesting a cell phone number (if possible) that we can send a text blast to in case we ever need to notify everyone of an issue. You may use the Contact Form below to send this to us. Your information will remain private and will only be used in the event we are required to notify you of an emergency or special instructions.
To those of you who responded, thank you. If you change numbers, sell your home, please let us know using the form below.
We are requesting a cell phone number (if possible) that we can send a text blast to in case we ever need to notify everyone of an issue. You may use the Contact Form below to send this to us. Your information will remain private and will only be used in the event we are required to notify you of an emergency or special instructions.
Our Water System and Security
We (all of us) have invested in our state of the art water system. If you ever see something suspicious near our pump house, water tank (in Saddlehorn), or fire hydrants, etc. Please speak up. Call Mark Smolen 406-407-0301. If you think it's more serious, please call 911 and report it. If someone is digging near our water mains, well heads, etc. Ask them if they called U-Dig. If you see someone dumping liquids or hazardous materials, again, think about our water supply--it comes from directly under our feet. Report these incidents!
The Department of Homeland Security has published a guide (click here) on how to recognize potent threats and what to do. We encourage everyone to be part of the team and keep our neighborhood and especially our drinking water safe!
The Department of Homeland Security has published a guide (click here) on how to recognize potent threats and what to do. We encourage everyone to be part of the team and keep our neighborhood and especially our drinking water safe!
Water Quality Reports and Notices
Click here for the 2023 Lead & Copper report (performed every 3 years). (Issued July, 2023)
Click here for the 2023 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued Mar, 2024)
Click here for the 2022 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued Feb, 2023)
Click here for the 2021 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued May, 2022)
Click here for the 2020 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued May, 2021)
Click here for the 2019 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued April, 2020)
Click here for the 2020 Lead & Copper report (performed every 3 years). (Issued June, 2020)
Click here for the asbestos waiver notice from April. Because we have no asbestos concrete pipes, we have been granted a waiver for testing (which saves us money) until 2028. But we are still required to tell you that we are not doing this testing. (Issued April, 2021)
Click here for the 2023 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued Mar, 2024)
Click here for the 2022 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued Feb, 2023)
Click here for the 2021 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued May, 2022)
Click here for the 2020 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued May, 2021)
Click here for the 2019 Annual Water Report which is required by the EPA Safe Water Drinking Act (Issued April, 2020)
Click here for the 2020 Lead & Copper report (performed every 3 years). (Issued June, 2020)
Click here for the asbestos waiver notice from April. Because we have no asbestos concrete pipes, we have been granted a waiver for testing (which saves us money) until 2028. But we are still required to tell you that we are not doing this testing. (Issued April, 2021)
Notice of Annual Meeting
The Ranch County Water & Sewer District Annual Meeting will be held Monday, July 11th at 1PM at the offices of Chrysler & Gordon, 120 Village Ln, Bigfork, MT. Members are welcome to attend. Elections for the Board will be held the previous day at the Ranch HOA Annual Meeting Sunday, July 10th 2-4PM at the Bigfork High School. There are open board positions--please let Jerry Southwood know if you are interested prior to July 1, 2022.
Notice of Rate Changes - Effective July 1, 2021 Billing Cycle
After review of a full year of billings and operation by the RWD Board at the annual meeting on June 7, 2021, the Board approved a $1.00 raise in the base rate from $38 to $39. The new base rate ($39.00) for each lot that has a meter pit (whether or not a connection exists). To see a copy of the notice that went out to all customers, click here.
The Water usage fee was raised $1 per 1000 gallons from $2.13 to $3.13 per 1,000 gallons used. This fee applies to all connected lots
The key factors that affected our rate changes were:
The Meter Reading Fee was unchanged remaining at $5.75
The Water usage fee was raised $1 per 1000 gallons from $2.13 to $3.13 per 1,000 gallons used. This fee applies to all connected lots
The key factors that affected our rate changes were:
- Increase in our Liability Insurance Premium
- Increase in overall costs including monitoring/operator, testing, and equipment maintenance.
- Increase in overall water usage
The Meter Reading Fee was unchanged remaining at $5.75
How your Bill is Calculated
Every Bill has up to four components:
My most recent bill said I used 8100 gallons. Therefore, my Water Usage is calculated: 8100 x $0.00313 = $25.35
My total bill is calculated like this:
- Base Fee ($39.00 is the current base fee) Every lot pays this fee whether or not there is a connection.
- Meter Fee ($5.75/month) Every connected lot pays this whether or not water is used.
- Water Usage Fee ($3.13 / 1000 gallons used) Measured to the nearest 100 gallons.
- Administrative / Late Fees (if applicable)
My most recent bill said I used 8100 gallons. Therefore, my Water Usage is calculated: 8100 x $0.00313 = $25.35
My total bill is calculated like this:
|
Base Rate: $39.00
Meter Fee: $ 5.75 Water Usage: $25.35 Total Bill: $70.10 |
|
|
Mailing Address for the Water DistrictRanch County Water District
P.O. Box 1865 Bigfork, MT 59911-1865 Phone: (406) 837-5461 |
Note: Because the two entities are part of "The Ranch", this page is being supplied and maintained by the Ranch HOA as a courtesy to the Water District for informational purposes. The Ranch HOA has no legal affiliation to the Ranch County Water & Sewer District.