Libby officials report multiple water-main leaks and a vulnerable lower reservoir; repairs and funding next steps outlined

City staff told the Libby City Council that a series of water-main failures and long‑standing infrastructure problems have produced repeated leaks on Reese Court and elsewhere, and that the city is developing short‑term fixes and a capital plan for larger repairs.

The report, delivered during the council’s regular meeting, said crews identified multiple leaks in September at a trailer park and nearby streets. Staff said some leaks were previously unidentified mains not shown on maps; crews disconnected and replaced several old lines, installed new curb stops and meter pits, and rerouted leaking flows to stabilize a failing bank. City staff said peak observed leak rates fell from about 2 gallons per minute to roughly 1.1 gallons per minute after repairs and isolation work, and some residual seepage likely remains in sandy soils below clay layers and could continue to drain slowly.

The council was also warned about the city’s lower reservoir near the water treatment plant. Staff said water is now bypassing the spillway and washing away underlying material near an old retaining wall and that “this is on a risk of catastrophic failure by spring,” prompting an emergency temporary fix. The city’s preliminary engineering estimate without further mitigation was cited as about $3,800,000; staff said grant funding could cover roughly $1.1–$1.2 million and that the remainder would fall to the city. Staff described options such as injecting sealants into cracks, pumping bentonite slurry or other stabilization measures and breaking the work into multi‑year segments tied to the capital improvement plan.

In addition, staff said a previous engineering estimate to replace filtration tanks at the treatment plant ranged from $10 million to $15 million, but that an engineer now believes phased repairs could extend their life by 30–40 years at a lower cost. The city intends to sequence tank work with reservoir and distribution system repairs as revenue and grant opportunities permit.

Council members pressed for clarification of leak locations and timelines; staff said the Reese Court work required uncovering an unmapped city main and replacing a manifold of poorly documented connections. Staff credited local property owner Scott Thompson and the streets crew with trenching and temporary measures to control flows and protect the roadway. Staff also said they are coordinating with the police department on downstream risk assessments in the valley and are briefing nearby residents.

City staff asked the council to note that some capital work will depend on recently approved rate increases and on securing grants. The report concluded with a request to continue advancing the preliminary engineering plan so that the council will be able to authorize construction of projects — such as a parking/settling basin related to a spoils-pile plan and additional easement acquisitions on Spruce Street and Lincoln Boulevard — once 100% engineering design and final cost estimates are available.