The city of Kalispell is progressing with plans to add a new 1 million-gallon water storage tank and a public water supply production well north of Rose Crossing.

Kalispell Public Works Director Susie Turner explained the project is intended to meet water demands of the expanding northern and western edges of the city. The idea is to serve the new residents and businesses there and prepare for an additional influx in water customers in the future.

“These projects ensure the city of Kalispell can continue to fully serve the needs of our existing water customers, and account for the new growth occurring in Kalispell,” Turner said in an email.

The need for a new tank and well in Kalispell’s Upper Pressure Zone — the high-lying areas generally north of Liberty Street and West Colorado Street — was identified in the city’s most recent Water Facility Plan update.

Turner pointed out “the majority of the new growth currently occurring in Kalispell is served off of the Upper Pressure Zone.”

“The city takes this proactive approach to identify infrastructure needs in an effort to complete projects before they negatively affect existing levels of service or new development,” Turner added.

Construction on the project is expected to take place north of Rose Crossing and east of U.S. 93. But Turner anticipated construction likely won’t get underway until summer 2021 or later.

Although the plans are still very preliminary, Turner reported they don’t expect residents to notice much disruption during construction. “Disruptions to residents will likely be very limited to the area of construction,” Turner said. “Disruptions to the water system would be very limited, to potentially none at all.”

She noted there’s a possibility of traffic interruptions near the construction site, but she stressed “this is also expected to be very minor in the anticipated construction area.”

The funds for the project already have been allocated in existing budgets. Turner said the city expects a State Revolving Fund loan to cover construction funding. Payments for the loan will likely be made through water utility rates and impact fees collected from new development.

At this point, the city is looking for “the most qualified candidate who has design experience with: large elevated storage tanks, the design and development of drinking water wells and pumping stations, and the design of necessary transmission line infrastructure,” according to Turner. The Kalispell Public Works Department is taking applications for a consulting engineer until May 18.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at (406)-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.