Saturday, September 12, 2026
53.0°F

Libby to experience water shutoff next week

DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years AGO
by DERRICK PERKINS
NEWS EDITOR Derrick Perkins serves as News Editor at the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees daily news coverage and works closely with reporters to plan, edit and publish stories across print and digital platforms. Perkins helps coordinate coverage of local government, public safety, business and community developments throughout Northwest Montana. He works with the reporting staff to strengthen journalism while maintaining consistent daily coverage. His role helps ensure the newsroom delivers timely, accurate reporting that readers rely on. IMPACT: Derrick’s work keeps readers informed about the decisions and events shaping their communities every day. | September 10, 2021 7:00 AM

Libby residents will briefly lose water on Sept. 13 owing to work on the system, officials said in press release.

Officials with City Hall and Noble Excavating expect the outage to last about six hours. It is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m., officials said. Residents are encouraged to fill storage containers with water to use during the overnight outage.

During the shutdown, Noble Excavating will install a transmission main from city’s water treatment plant to the Cedar Street pressure reducing station.

“We apologize for any inconvenience,” officials with Noble said in prepared statement. “When complete, the water supply will be more secure than ever before.”

Along with stocking up on water ahead of time, residents were urged to shut off electric and propane water heaters. Water coming through the taps immediately after the outage ends could look dirty. If so, residents are asked to flush their systems until it clears.

“You also may want to clean your aerators and screens on your sinks and washers,” Noble officials said in a press release.

City officials have issued a boil water advisory following the shutoff, a move they make anytime the system undergoes a drop in pressure. Residents are urged to boil water before consumption in case contaminants entered the supply.

Officials expect the advisory to remain in place for several days as they wait on bacteriological samples to return from the lab.

ARTICLES BY DERRICK PERKINS

September 11, 2026 8:20 a.m.

Columbia Falls therapist faces child pornography, other charges

A Flathead Valley therapist is facing multiple felonies, including 15 counts of sexual abuse of children, after authorities allegedly found child porn, drugs and bomb components during a Sept. 2 raid of his Columbia Falls home.

Man fired upon by Kalispell Police officers allegedly hurled cans, rocks during confrontation
September 11, 2026 midnight

Man fired upon by Kalispell Police officers allegedly hurled cans, rocks during confrontation

The man arrested after Kalispell Police officers opened fire earlier this month allegedly hurled rocks, cans and bottles at them during the confrontation.

Therapist accused of keeping cache of child porn, bomb parts
September 11, 2026 midnight

Therapist accused of keeping cache of child porn, bomb parts

Scott Thomas McFarlane, 41, is being held in the county jail with bail set at $1 million following the search of his Shadow Wood Drive home.