NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
For immediate release December 11, 2017
Contact: Elizabeth Duncan
(208) 258-6595 eduncan@imd.idaho.gov

Governor Signs Disaster Declaration

Well failure in Idaho County community leaves residents without potable water

 

BOISE – Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has signed a disaster declaration for Idaho County on behalf of the City of White Bird. The small north-central Idaho town has been without water since late last month. Residents are on a public water system served by two wells. The system depressurized cutting off water completely. Boil-water advisories remain in effect and have been posted door to door, at two local eateries, and at city hall. A boil-water advisory applies to drinking water, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and all food preparation. The cause of the depressurization has not been determined.

“When a community loses its potable water supply that affects every aspect of day-to-day living,” said Jerry Zumalt, Idaho County Emergency Manager. “We are grateful to the State of Idaho for providing assistance and expertise as we work to determine the cause of the depressurization and restore the community’s water supply.”

For more information on the boil-water advisory and the status of the wells, contact the City of White Bird Clerk’s Office at (208) 839-2294 or the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at (208) 799-4370

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The Idaho Office of Emergency Management is a Division of the Idaho Military Division. The services we provide are to facilitate emergency management in Idaho, and to assist neighboring states. The men and women of this Division are dedicated to their mission of protecting the lives and property of the people of Idaho, as well as preserving the environmental and the economic health of Idaho.

 

Original Release