The City of Columbia Falls faces constraints on future growth from wastewater treatment capacity. The current facility handles 0.71 million gallons daily, supporting approximately 8,174 people. With the existing service population at 6,280, roughly 1,894 people of capacity remain.
The squeeze
The city has already approved developments adding 720 residents, leaving about 1,174 capacity slots. Anticipated development applications could request 1,380 additional residents — exceeding what’s available.
Proposed approach
City management recommends allocating capacity for up to 1,500 additional residents, reserving roughly 400 slots for future projects, and considering moratoriums for large-scale unanticipated developments.
Planning Commission recommendations
The Planning Commission emphasized prioritizing multi-family housing, townhomes, and attached homes over large-lot subdivisions; infill within existing city boundaries; reserving flexibility for innovative housing proposals; and incentive-based tools for affordable housing. The commission cautioned against broad moratoriums, noting they can paradoxically increase housing costs by artificially constraining supply.
Next action: City Council discussion scheduled for January 20, 2026.