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Libby council hears water-leak survey updates, DEQ warning on open-cut mine
Summary
City Administrator reported a water-leak survey underway, past leakage estimates of roughly 110 million gallons/year, and plans to prioritize repairs to avoid rationing; staff also told council the DEQ issued a warning letter related to an open-cut mining site and the city will work with the agency.
City Administrator Mr. Sykes told the Libby City Council the municipal sewer-plant backup generator has been repaired and that a new water-leak survey is underway to identify and prioritize repairs aimed at avoiding water rationing amid ongoing drought conditions. Mr. Sykes said staff hope repairs will substantially reduce losses that were previously estimated at about 110 million gallons per year.
“Five years ago we were selling 16% of the water produced with leaks and everything,” Mr. Sykes said. He said current estimates put unaccounted-for water at roughly 25–26% and that, once repairs are completed and averages recalculated, the city hopes to raise metered sales to about 40% of production.
Mr. Sykes also informed the council that the city received a warning letter from the Department of Environmental Quality concerning violations at an open-cut mine near Pipe County Road. He said the city will work with DEQ staff, pursue necessary amendments to recordings, and request extensions if needed while demonstrating active remediation and compliance efforts.
Council members asked for follow-up reporting; Mr. Sykes said engineers are prepared to begin drafting plans for the Spruce Street slip repair once the survey results arrive and that staff will return with bid packages for major projects. He also reminded the council that lead-service-line surveys are forthcoming and that staff will dedicate time to complete those surveys.
The council took no separate formal vote on the leak survey or DEQ matter during the meeting; the administrator said staff would continue coordination with state agencies and return with more detailed plans and timelines.
