BONNERS FERRY — The city of Bonners Ferry is moving ahead with plans to place a lid on the northside reservoir water tank.

The revelation by reports from DEQ about vermin being found in the tank that provides water to about 300 residents on the north side of Bonners Ferry has drawn public concern.

A Tuesday, July 22 special city council meeting revisited a 2005 agreement with Welch Comer and Associates for engineering a pre-stressed hollow core lid for the tank. The council approved engineering services for structure evaluation, a new roof design and bidding/procurement services not to exceed $14,450 in hourly charges. The evaluation must be completed to make sure the tank, built in 1922, can hold the weight of the lid and concrete slab over the top.

The agreement was part of a master scoping agreement created for the 2005 Water Revenue Bond for the city of Bonners Ferry that also allowed the city to assume the assets and liabilities of both the North and South Hill water and sewer districts.

Many of the items on the agreement have been completed, including new 16” water lines to the Marx subdivision, which was a significant project.

The less expensive wood truss and sheet metal roof structure currently covering the North water reservoir was fitted with a new door and screen along the eves after a 2009 DEQ sanitary survey found vermin, especially mice were entering the tank. Grading and brush removal around the tank was also intended to mitigate the issue.

See the complete story in the July 24, 2014, print edition of the Bonners Ferry Herald.