Glacier National Park Ensures Safe Conditions for Visitors through Private Property Inspections

Glacier National Park, in collaboration with the US Public Health Service and Flathead County Health Department, has completed water and wastewater system inspections on private properties with commercial eating, drinking, and lodging operations within the park. The inspections aimed to verify the safety and sanitation of these properties, ensuring they do not degrade the park's natural resources. Non-toxic, biodegradable dye tests were used to determine if wastewater was leaking into nearby water sources. The inspections found no evidence of wastewater reaching Lake McDonald or other water sources.

Key Takeaways:

• The inspections included wastewater dye tests on 10 private properties to verify their safety and sanitation, and an NPS Fire Chief completed fire and life safety inspections of each property.
• The dye tests showed that wastewater on these properties was not reaching any nearby water sources, including Lake McDonald.
• Glacier National Park has approximately 115 private inholdings within its borders, mostly around Lake McDonald or in the North Fork.
• Inspections were conducted in fall 2024, with wastewater dye testing completed in spring 2025.
• Per 36 CFR § 7.3 (b), eating, drinking, and lodging establishments on private lands within the park must comply with State and county health and sanitary laws and ordinances.
• Park staff will begin working with remaining private landowners within the park to meet requirements in 36 C.F.R. § 7.3 (c), which states that any building or structure intended for human habitation or use must be served by water supply and sewage disposal systems that comply with the standards prescribed by State and county laws and regulations applicable in the county.
• The NPS will work with landowners to permit the construction, rebuilding, or alteration of any water supply or sewage disposal system on privately owned land within the park.

Statistics:

• 115: The number of private properties within Glacier National Park, mostly around Lake McDonald or in the North Fork.
• 10: The number of private properties that underwent wastewater dye tests.
• 36 CFR § 7.3 (b): The regulation that requires eating, drinking, and lodging establishments on private lands within the park to comply with State and county health and sanitary laws and ordinances.

Sources:

• National Park Service