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Libby staff report water-leak survey, DEQ warning and plant repairs as city aims to reduce losses
Summary
City staff reported that a new leak survey is underway to reduce water loss (previously estimated losses were 25–26% with a conservative prior estimate of 110 million gallons saved by past work), the wastewater plant generator is back online, and the city received a DEQ warning letter about an open-cut mining issue on County Road; staff said they will work with DEQ and may request extensions.
City staff provided an operations update that emphasized efforts to reduce water loss, maintain essential wastewater equipment, and respond to a DEQ warning letter concerning an open-cut mining issue.
The city’s backup generator at the wastewater plant was reported repaired and back in service after a circuit-board replacement. Staff said a new water-leak survey is underway; the speaker noted that five years ago staff conservatively estimated prior leak-related losses at about 110 million gallons per year saved after repairs, and that recent analyses show roughly 25–26% of water produced is lost to leaks. Staff said they hope to raise that recovery to about 40% once the new survey data are fully factored into averages.
Staff also reported they received a warning letter from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) concerning an open-cut mining issue on pipe County Road (CR Road) and will coordinate with DEQ; staff noted DEQ is willing to provide extensions if the city demonstrates progress. Other public-works items included sewer lift-station pump rebuilds, hydrant relocations following recurring hits to a hydrant, removal of hazardous trees in parks, vandalism repairs at the Farm Park restroom, and plans to replace an aging city carrier truck that is difficult to keep in service.
City staff provided a schedule note that the current water-leak survey is expected to be wrapped up on or about July 12, after which staff will analyze results and propose repair plans to reduce water usage and avoid rationing. No formal council vote on these infrastructure items occurred during the meeting.
