North Idaho Briefs August 17, 2011

Wastewater spills

at Post Falls facility

POST FALLS - Nearly 40,000 gallons of treated wastewater leaked out at the city's water reclamation facility off Seltice Way on Monday.

Terry Werner, public services director, said the 39,000-gallon release was discovered Monday morning when employees reported for work. The water was immediately shut off.

The spill was caused by an irrigation pipe crack.

"It's fully treated and disinfected water," Werner said. "It's the same water we discharge into the Spokane River."

There is no immediate effect to any drinking water supplies and the incident poses no health risk to the public, Werner said.

Reclaimed water is used to clean equipment and irrigate greenspace at the facility.

The city reported the release to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The city will continue to work with IDEQ as needed if any remediation is necessary.

Mobile food bank set for Friday

Second Harvest's mobile food bank truck loaded with fresh produce will be at Lake City Community Church from 9-11 a.m. Friday.

The "Thrivent Homegrown Help Truck" delivers perishable food to the area's hungry. About 20 volunteers from the Coeur d'Alene Basin Chapter of Thrivent Financial and the church will help with distribution.

The public is welcome.

Nearly 40,000 Inland Northwest residents each week receive emergency food assistance.

"Many of these families have to make choices between food and everyday necessities such as utilities, rent, medical bills or food," according to a press release.

Info: Dave, 687-6155