**LATEST UPDATE (1/26/23)**
The City of Lewiston has officially lifted the Boil Water Order for all Lewiston water customers following a rupture in one of the city’s water reservoirs last week. The Boil Water Order was lifted at 4:50 p.m. on Thursday.
City of Lewiston water customers can again consume their tap water as normal. There is no need for customers to flush their system or take any other measures at this time.
Crews have been successful in disconnecting the affected reservoir from the system and draining all of the remaining water. Necessary modifications have also been made to the water system in order to provide water to all customers from a different reservoir in the water system.
During the entire event, all water samples taken within the system came back negative for any contaminants.
City crews will continue to make adjustments to the water system in order to balance out pressures and efficiencies. Customers may experience discolored water as a result of the modifications made to the system. If customers experience other irregularities, they are encouraged to call (208)-984-7096 so crews can mitigate possible issues.
**Update (1/25/23)**
LEWISTON – Carol Maurer, the City of Lewiston Public Information Officer, reports that City of Lewiston Public Works Department has been working around the clock to restore regular service to water customers still under the boil water order. Crews drained the remaining water out of the affected reservoir Wednesday.
Staff were also successful in isolating the affected reservoir and switching that portion of the water system to a different water source for customers who were receiving water from the affected reservoir.
“Now that the necessary infrastructure has been installed, lab results need to demonstrate it is safe to lift the boil water order,” Public Works Director Dustin Johnson said. “Once we can demonstrate that the system is clear, we will work to get the green light from the Department of Environmental Quality before lifting the boil water order.”
Bottled water and a water filling station will be available at the Lewiston Community Center, 1424 Main Street, Lewiston, Idaho 83501, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 26, 2023, for customers in need of clean drinking water. Bottled water and jugs of water are available on a first come, first served basis. Customers should bring their own containers for the water filling station.
“We greatly appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during this event,” Johnson said. “We are doing everything we can to address water service and will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.”
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**Update (1/24/23)**
Draining of the ruptured water reservoir in Lewiston is scheduled to occur Wednesday, January 25, according to the latest update from the City of Lewiston.
Since the rupture occurred at the city-owned reservoir along 16th Avenue on January 18, a Boil Water Order was instated for affected residents. As of January 24, that Boil Water Order remains in place (See maps below from previous updates).
While the Boil Water Order remains in place, clean drinking water and a water filling station is available at the Lewiston Community Center (1424 Main Street). Water will be available each day from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through at least Wednesday.
In order to restore regular service to affected water customers, the reservoir must be isolated. In order to isolate the reservoir, it must be emptied.
To accomplish this, crews with the City of Lewiston Public Works Department must pump the remaining water out of the reservoir and allow it to go through existing storm drain facilities. This process is planned to begin at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2023. When this process is occurring, water may be seen in the stormwater drainage system but should not be cause for concern. The amount of water flow will be released at a manageable rate, according to the city. This step is necessary in the process to remedy the current situation.
In addition to draining the reservoir, crews will also be working to bring modifications to the water system online. These modifications are necessary to bring alternative water sources to the area impacted by the loss of the reservoir. Therefore, customers may notice some discoloration in their tap water. The City says this is normal and should not be cause for concern.
If water customers notice any adverse effects from the pumping of the reservoir, outside of normal draining into the storm drainage system and discolored water as described above, please call the Public Works Department at 208-746-1316 extension 0.
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**Update (1/23/23)**
The Boil Water Order for some Lewiston residents remains in place as of Monday morning.
According to the latest update provided by the City of Lewiston, since the rupture of the water reservoir occurred last week, significant strides have been made in efforts to address damages to the reservoir and to lift the boil order. Last Thursday, the Boil Water Order was lifted for some residents, however the Order remains in place for another portion of residents (see map below).
The current Boil Water Order will remain in place until crews can shift their water source to another reservoir within the system.
Staff are currently looking into how the City’s water system will respond when the reservoir is taken off line, as the flow of water will be significantly modified from how it is traditionally operated.
“The City of Lewiston recognizes the sacrifices citizens have made during this event and sincerely appreciates the patience and understanding expressed by affected customers,” read a statement from the City of Lewiston provided Monday. “Crews are working around the clock to end the current boil order in place, as soon as it is safe to do so. Much work remains and there are still many challenges that must be vetted out.”
While the Boil Water Order remains in place, clean drinking water and a water filling station is available at the Lewiston Community Center (1424 Main Street). Water will be available each day from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through at least Wednesday.
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**Update (1/20/23)**
The Boil Water Order for some City of Lewiston residents is expected to remain in place over the weekend, according to an update provided Friday afternoon from the City.
The attached map highlights three separate sections of the community. The section in red shows the area that should continue following the boil water alert order; the section in green shows the area that has been lifted; the section in blue shows the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District area, which is not affected.
The purpose of the boil water order remains precautionary in order to protect the users of the water system. According to the City of Lewiston, to date, all water samples have come back clean. City staff continue to work diligently to draw water from other sources within the system for its customers.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has lifted the Boil Water Order for customers that are no longer served by the damaged reservoir.
City Staff are currently working to address the remainder of customers serviced by the affected reservoir.
A water filling station is available for affected customers in need of clean drinking water at the Lewiston Community Center (1424 Main Street). The water filling station will be open until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20. It will then again be open Saturday, January 21st, and Sunday, January 22nd from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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**UPDATE (1/19/23)**
As of Thursday afternoon, the City of Lewiston Public Works Department has lifted the Boil Water Order for portions of the community.
The attached map highlights three separate sections of the community. The section in red shows the area that should continue following the boil water alert order; the section in green shows the area that has been lifted; the section in blue shows the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District area, which is not affected.
The purpose of the boil water order is precautionary. City staff have isolated portions of the system and all water samples have come back clean. Therefore, the Department of Environmental Quality has given the City of Lewiston the green light to lift the boil water order for the customers that are no longer served by that reservoir.
Also on Thursday, the Lewiston City Council declared an emergency, unanimously voting to authorize city personnel to spend up to $200,000 to purchase materials and services necessary to repair or replace water system infrastructure without needing to follow formal bidding procedures.
“Essentially this expedites the process, if needed, to ensure staff can respond quickly to this emergency,” Public Works Director Dustin Johnson said. “This work is being done to help isolate the reservoir from the remainder of the city’s system.”
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Original Story (1/18/23)
LEWISTON, ID – At approximately 4:00 a.m., on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, a rupture occurred at the City of Lewiston’s water reservoir located along 16th Avenue. This rupture caused approximately three-million gallons of water to be released from the reservoir and resulted in localized flooding.
According to the City of Lewiston, based on what has been uncovered in the preliminary investigation, the reservoir rupture appears to be an isolated event that was not related to any improvements that have been underway to the overall water system in the City of Lewiston.
“Nothing was identified in previous planning documents or inspection reports that indicated a cause for concern at this facility,” City of Lewiston Public Works Director Dustin Johnson said. “It is important to identify the root cause of the incident in order to move forward, and staff have been working diligently to do so.”
City staff were notified of the incident and were on site almost immediately to secure and assess the situation. An incident command system was also promptly established.
Due to the reservoir failure, a Boil Water Order was issued for City of Lewiston water customers, which remains in effect until further notice.
Lewiston Mayor Dan Johnson also issued a Declaration of Local Disaster Emergency Wednesday afternoon, which has been supported by the Nez Perce County Commissioners and is waiting for potential approval from the State of Idaho. This declaration, if approved by the Governor, allows the City to ask for assistance from higher levels of government if needed. Assistance can come in the form of financial resources, supplies, etc., only if the City may need it.
Following the rupture, the City of Lewiston closed multiple streets. According to the Public Works Department, the reservoir failure washed-out portions of the listed streets, and they were closed for safety. The street closures are listed below, between the 2300 and 2500 blocks of each:
- 16th Avenue
- 11th Avenue
- Sunset Drive
- 9th Avenue
- 8th Avenue
In addition, the rupture forced the closure of three local elementary schools (McSorley Elementary School, Webster Elementary School and Whitman Elementary School) for the day on Wednesday.
In an update provided by the City of Lewiston Thursday morning, Johnson said the primary focus is getting the Boil Water Order lifted.
“Our primary focus right now is to get the boil water order lifted,” Johnson said. “We are working with our engineers and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to achieve this in a safe manner for all of our customers, as life and safety remains our top priority.”
A water filling station has been established at the Lewiston Community Center, 1424 Main Street, Lewiston, Idaho, for City of Lewiston water customers that may be in need of clean drinking water. Residents will need to bring their own water containers to the water filling station. The station is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
If you have property damage due to the water that was released from the reservoir, please call 208-984-7096.
City staff have been working with other local agencies, medical facilities, etc., to keep them in the loop and assist with addressing their needs.
