Reservoir Is Still Critically Low - Recovery is in Process

Update 2:15 PM:  The 6-inch main has been repaired and the District has begun the recovery of the Reservoir.  However, it will take another few hours to get it to a level where the Grouse Meadows and Vista Booster Pump Stations can be re-primed and turned back on, and water service can be restored to these areas.

There is a parallel 2-inch main, that also broke, and is being repaired right now.  There are Patrons on Cartwright that will not have water service restored until that 2-inch main repair is completed in the next half hour or so.

Starting at around 4:00 PM, Patrons can begin using water for essential household use only.  The higher the use is at this time will delay recovery.  The full Reservoir recovery will happen overnight.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Reminder: Patrons who have had their water service interrupted, should open one inside tap slowly to vent any air that may have gotten into their plumbing, and then flush their lines until running water is clear during first use.

Water System Emergency! Please Stop All Water Use Immediately!

Transcript of Emergency Phone Message:

Phone Message June 26, 2025, 10:45 AM

This is a message from the Kootenai County Water District No. 1 Board of Directors.

This is a water system emergency.  Please stop all water use immediately.

There has been a serious break on the 6 inch main on Pine Lane in the Bonanza area of the District.  The reservoir is being depleted rapidly as District personnel are trying to shut the correct valves to isolate the break and stop the water loss and reservoir depletion.

When the break is isolated, the repair is expected to take a few hours.

Please monitor the KCWD#1 blog at www.kcwd1.blogspot.com for updates, and let your neighbors know about this District-wide Shutdown, as not all Patrons have subscribed to the blog.

Thank you.

Emergency Repair for Break on Pine Rd.

There is a break on the six-inch main on Pine.  Repairs will begin shortly, and valves to isolate the break will be turned off to enable the repair.  Patrons connected to this main on Pine will experience a water service interruption until the repair is complete.  ETR (Estimated Time of Restoration) is 3:00 PM this afternoon.

Reminder: Patrons who have had their water service interrupted, should open one inside tap slowly to vent any air that may have gotten into their plumbing, and then flush their lines until running water is clear during first use.

Late Update: Vista Booster Is Back Online

Due to Board Meeting tonight, this update is late.  As of about 6:00 PM the Vista Booster Pump Station was back online, and beginning recovery.  The system will continue to recover fully overnight as Patrons resumed water use once the water pressure increased after the testing of the Solenoid/Cla Valve, and pumps were turned back on.

Vista Booster is Still Down and Needs to be Tested! Need Affected Patrons to Stop All Water Use Until Testing Is Complete!

To All Patrons serviced by the Vista Booster:

PLEASE STOP ALL WATER USE UNTIL NOTIFIED VIA THE BLOG TO RESUME!  YOU WILL SEE A PRESSURE DROP AS THE PUMPS ARE BEING TURNED OFF.

The reservoir under the pump station is being filled manually, and as it gets drained by water use by Patrons, District personnel are not able to test whether the solenoid that controls the Cla Valve is working properly.  The pumps are being turned off, so Patrons served by this Booster Station will see a drop in water pressure, or an interruption in water service.  The faster that the reservoir can be filled and hold the fill level, the faster the District can determine if the system is working and then recover this system for full use.  

Please let your neighbors know what is going on if they are not monitoring the blog.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Reminder: Patrons who have had their water service interrupted, should open one inside tap slowly to vent any air that may have gotten into their plumbing, and then flush their lines until running water is clear during first use.

Vista Booster Loss of Pressure 12:50 PM, Wednesday

Update 2:25 PM:  Problem has been identified as the solenoid that controls the Cla Valve.  Currently, a manual bypass is being used to refill the small reservoir under the Vista Booster Station to ensure the Vista mains remain pressurized.  Specific ETR has not been determined yet, as additional service personnel are enroute to determine the details of the repair.  Expect to have this resolved sometime today.  Will post specifics when new information is available.

Please stop water use until notified that system is back online.

Update 1:06 PM:  Cla valve or solenoid issue at Vista Booster Pump Station.  At this time, District does not have an ETR (Estimated Time of Restoration).  Will update when information is available.

District has gotten reports of loss of pressure in the area serviced by the Vista Booster Pump Station and is investigating the cause now.  Will post update when available.

REMINDER: Planned Water System Shutdown - Stop all Water Use All Day Today, Tuesday June 24th

Update 7:30 PM:  Most of the system is back online.  However, the Vista Booster is experiencing some pressure related issues at start up.  All Patrons serviced by the Vista Booster Station (Vista Loop, Highview, Kingswood and part of Bonnell) should hold off on water use until 8:30 PM to give the mains time to re-pressurize.

Thank you to all District customers for stopping all water use today while tie-ins were being completed.  The reservoir saw minimum draw down throughout the day. 

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Crews will shortly begin the process, this morning, of shutting off valves on the Main Line to the reservoir in preparation for the new Main tie-ins work, and existing water meter hook-ups along these new mains.

PLEASE STOP ALL WATER USE FOR THE DAY UNTIL THE WATER DISTRICT NOTIFIES YOU THAT VALVES ARE RE-OPENED.  

Work is anticipated to be complete by 6:00 PM this evening, but monitor the blog for updates.

Reminder: Patrons who have had their water service interrupted, should open one inside tap slowly to vent any air that may have gotten into their plumbing, and then flush their lines until running water is clear during first use.