City Council Discusses Major Water System Repair

The Kettle Falls City Council discussed recent wildfire activity, infrastructure projects, and a potentially significant water system repair during their July 28 meeting. At the top of the meeting, fire officials reported a “busy” two-week period, responding to 19 calls since the council’s previous meeting, including mutual aid responses to assist neighboring fire districts battling wildfires.

Officials said firefighters have been deployed to help on large regional fires and have also responded locally to incidents ranging from illegal burns to vegetation fires. Fire personnel have increased patrols during periods of high winds to monitor fire conditions. The council thanked the firefighters for their work. Public Works Director Dave Willey updated the council on ongoing utility projects, including the installation of new water meters. He said crews were scheduled to begin installing the new meters that week after receiving the remaining equipment needed for the project. Willey said the work has progressed slower than expected, but that crews have been inspecting wells and preparing the system to minimize disruptions during installation.

The meeting then turned to police department updates. Police Chief Brandon Hoover reported that officers have handled several incidents involving transients in recent weeks. He also told the council that the department recently interviewed its top three candidates for an open position. A background investigation has begun on one finalist, with hiring expected to move forward if the candidate successfully completes the process. City planning officials said work continues on updates to zoning regulations.

Staff said revisions to the city’s zoning code are nearly complete and should soon be ready for council review. Officials also shared that work on the city’s comprehensive plan update has stalled after grant funding delays affected consultant SCJ Alliance’s schedule. State funding issues have slowed the second phase of the planning process, though the project has not been canceled, according to officials. The conversation shifted to an unexpected water main failure near the city’s industrial area.

Willey described a damaged section of water line that may require repairs beneath the railroad crossing. Initial inspection suggests the problem could involve approximately 150 feet of pipeline. Willey said they will first attempt to isolate the damaged section, clean the line, and inspect it internally before determining whether a full replacement is necessary. Staff estimated the initial investigation and cleaning could cost roughly $15,000, while a complete replacement could exceed $1 million.

Council members emphasized the importance of restoring the line because it plays a critical role in maintaining adequate water pressure for firefighting, particularly in the lower portions of the community. Officials said the city has sufficient room in the water utility budget to cover the initial inspection work but acknowledged that larger repairs would likely require additional funding. In other business, council members discussed the completed railroad crossing project, which they said has improved access through the area. The next Kettle Falls City Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.