Sheridan County Conservation District Upgrades North Piney Creek Area Near Story

It’s now less likely that part of one creek in southern Sheridan County will have elevated levels of bacteria.

The Sheridan County Conservation District recently completed repairs and upgrades to septic and filtration systems and a nearby leechfield in a crossover ditch to North Piney Creek near the town of Story.

The area was identified by the state as an increased risk area and the district was able to make improvements to reduce potential contributors of bacteria into the water.

District Manager Carrie Rogaczewski says the district was able to provide up to 50% funding assistance for the project, because it met certain state requirements.

“Those relate to the age of the system, being installed prior to 1973, serving a single family dwelling and being within a certain distance, 50 feet of a water body, or up to 500 feet if there’s sewage on the surface or wastewater on the surface.”

Rogaczewski adds the project was one of 5 along the Tongue River, Goose Creek, and Prairie Dog Creek waterbodies approved by the District Board this past spring.