Sewer and Water commissioner: well drilling underway, Aquifer Protection Area vote set for Aug. 5

Bill Genoway, a commissioner for the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District, briefed the council on July 15 about ongoing district projects and an upcoming August ballot measure to renew county aquifer protection funding.

Genoway said the district is drilling a new well at the Kenny Well site, describing casings and drilling depth — 24‑inch casings to about 210 feet — and suggested the district might bring a well‑drilling rig to the Touch a Truck event so residents can see the operation. He also repeated the district’s request that residents remember the Aug. 5 ballot item to renew the county aquifer protection program (the APA levy), noting it costs roughly $10–$15 per year for property owners and that the city of Spokane had recently opted back into the program, which strengthens the program’s funding.

On system maintenance, Genoway reported the district has made substantial progress on backflow compliance: about 93 percent of residential devices are in compliance and about 78 percent of commercial devices. The district will send letters to property owners who have not arranged annual testing; the district noted that failure to maintain required backflow protection may result in water service interruption.

Genoway also said the district is evaluating a car‑wash discharge permit and that the district will review engineering and process details before issuing permits so wastewater treatment systems are not overloaded.

No council action was required; the briefing functioned as routine intergovernmental information and a reminder about the Aug. 5 ballot.