City of McCall Faces Water Supply Challenges due to Pump Failures | It is still Imperative to Conserve* 

*Date: August 7, 2023* 

McCall City is currently experiencing water supply challenges following the failure of two critical water pumps in the Water Treatment Plant (WTP). The first pump began experiencing issues on July 7th, leading to its shutdown and subsequent inspection by specialized municipal pump mechanics. Due to high demand for their services, the mechanics were only able to arrive for inspection during the week of July 24th to July 28th. On July 18th, a second pump also failed, compounding the issue. 

Upon inspection, the mechanics found significant shaft and bearing damages in both pumps, though it is uncertain if the failures occurred simultaneously. As a result of these failures, the city has lost approximately one-third of its maximum pumping capacity. While the city can currently maintain necessary flows and pressures with two pumps out of service, the concern lies with the possibility of a third pump failing, potentially overwhelming the system, especially during peak irrigation hours between 1 am and 9 am. 

To prevent further strain on the system, the city issued an irrigation reduction request to the residents. The request was made after a meeting on July 28th, during which city staff assessed the remaining WTP pumping capacity with two pumps out of service. Daily total volumes have started to decrease from, potentially showing positive results from the irrigation reduction notice. 

The city aims to repair and replace the failed pumps as quickly as possible. Currently, mechanics are evaluating the total damage to the pulled pump and expect to have it reinstalled and back online within an estimated two weeks. We currently expect mechanics onsite this week and will update the public as new information is available.   

The cause of the pump failures remains unknown, as diagnosing pump issues without removing them from service is challenging. The pump assemblies were installed in 2005 and have had periodic maintenance over the years, performing reliably for the past 18 years with few problems. 

The City of McCall assures its residents that it has sufficient funds in its Operations and Maintenance budget to address these issues. Necessary parts for the pumps are being custom made to facilitate the repair process. 

In response to the situation, McCall City Water Users are urged to reduce watering lawns and gardens to the maximum extent possible to help alleviate pressure on the water distribution system. By cooperating with the irrigation reduction request, residents can ensure adequate water pressure and flows for domestic use until the pump issues are resolved. 

Want to go the extra mile to help? McCall City Water Users are encouraged to embrace domestic water conservation strategies within their households. While adhering to the irrigation reduction request, residents willing and able to make additional contributions can adopt the following domestic conservation practices: 

1. **Mindful Hose Usage:** Avoid unnecessary water wastage by not allowing hoses to run unattended. Promptly turn off hoses when not in use to prevent needless water loss. 

2. **Strategic Timing for Heavy Water Usage:** Consider postponing activities that require substantial water usage, such as refilling hot tubs, to off-peak hours. This minimizes strain on the water system during peak demand intervals. 

3. **Leak Detection and Prompt Repairs:** Regularly inspect household plumbing for leaks and promptly address any identified issues. Even minor leaks can result in significant water wastage if left unattended. 

4. **Economical Dishwashing:** Opt for dishwashers when feasible, as they typically 

The City of McCall is committed to providing regular updates on the progress of the pump repairs and will continue to work diligently to restore full pumping capacity as soon as possible. 

*Note: This press release is a follow up to information shared on July 31, 2023.* 

Effective Immediately:  

Due to a pump system mechanical failure at the City’s Water Treatment Plant on 7/28/23, the City is requesting all water customers to immediately and temporarily reduce irrigation watering to the maximum extent possible.  By eliminating irrigation demand on the system, the City will be able to maintain adequate water pressure and flows within the distribution system for domestic uses only.   Compliance with this emergency request will help prevent further deterioration of the system pressure and flows and avoid imposing a potential city-wide boil order.  Once the repairs to the Water Treatment Plant are completed, we will notify all customers that they can resume normal (alternate day) irrigation activities in accordance with our alternative day sprinkling ordinance (MCC 6-2-265).   Thank you for reducing and/or ceasing all irrigation immediately.  We value your patience while the City completes the necessary system repairs. 

(Updated 7/31/23 @ 11:51)

Press Release 7/31/2023 - Read it here>

Don't take water for granted. In McCall, we run a small operation dedicated to meeting DEQ regulations and committed to providing the City of McCall with the cleanest of water. In order for this to happen the system needs to spend a certain amount of time with your water. Water usage this year is at an all-time high! 
 
We must act now to keep water running. Please conserve with if you are a city of McCall water customer! 

Please take these 2 important steps 

1. Alternate your lawn watering days using our city-adopted schedule as a guide - matching even-numbered homes with even days of the month and odd-numbered homes with odd days of the month.  

2. Water your lawns in the evening instead of the early morning. This will help by decreasing peak demand. 

ALTERNATE DAY SPRINKLING: Irrigation of residential and commercial lawns and landscaping using City water, by sprinklers, or otherwise, shall occur only on alternate days. City water may be used for such irrigation at addresses with an odd number only on odd-numbered days of the month, and at addresses with an even number only on even-numbered days of the month. (Ord. 665, 7-14-94)

For example: If today is July 7th your house number would need to end in an odd number 1,3,5,7,9 in order to water today.