History

What is being asked?

The CSCW board has been instrumental in getting the water system started on the right track; however, it has been determined unsustainable to expect community volunteers to implement this vision. Current funding mechanisms do not allow use of funds for capacity building, so the system is looking to identify opportunities that will allow them to increase resiliency and response to their day-to-day operations and effectively manage the required infrastructure upgrades over the next 5-10 years without disruption through increasing rates, applying for additional grants, and leveraging more volunteer opportunities.

History

Cedar Springs Community Water, Inc. (Cedar Springs or CSCW), formerly doing business as Farko Water and Ponderosa Terrace Estates, is a public water system located in Sagle, Idaho, off Talache Road. Originally designed and constructed in the early 1980s to serve 8–9 full-time residential homes and 90 seasonal recreational sites, the system is now strained beyond its original capacity, currently serving approximately 45 year-round households and a population of ~130 people with a Median Household income of $46,500.

Cedar Springs has been in an emergency water condition since October 1, 2024; does not have safe, reliable drinking water, and is on a continual Do Not Drink Water Advisory due to bacteriological and lead contamination/exceedances. The Bonner County Board of Commissioners declared an emergency on Cedar Spring’s behalf, which assisted the system in qualifying for some emergency funding for well source development. Additional hardships exist and require immediate and long-term water system upgrades related to fire risk and major water system deterioration requiring resources beyond the means of the water system. 

The water system is working to overcome an extended period of deferred maintenance, underfunding and reactive system management all while drinking water regulation has become more complex to manage due to increased requirements. Previous ownership sold off key parcels of land, leaving the water infrastructure scattered and increasingly unsustainable. The system is now at the point of requiring full replacement—a reality that is well-documented in Sanitary Surveys and the Compliance Agreement Schedule with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The community has a long history of significant deficiencies, testing violations, and a "Do Not Drink" order due to lead exceedances—each highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure replacement. Without a facility plan, Cedar Springs has been unable to upgrade or improve the system.

What Has/Is Being Done

A new board was voted into place March 2024, and a new non-profit entity with bylaws was established (Cedar Springs Community Water) to govern the community water system. Policies, implementation and invoicing was set up from scratch. Cedar Springs has continued to work closely with agencies and nonprofits to continue to operate the system to maintain water pressure as best as possible for public health protection (as feasible) while rapidly building out the business. 

Looking forward

1. Management: 

Farko provided Cedar Springs with $200 to take over management of the system in July 2024. No financial records were provided other than the bank statements made public by Idaho Public Utilities Commission on request. No tools, equipment, or training support was provided (by previous ownership). Within 2 months of beginning invoicing, Cedar Springs experienced 2 catastrophic failures – a pump failure ($8,700 in September 2024) due to deferred maintenance and unapproved repair methods, and 2 – well diagnostics confirming a significant decline in the production of both wells (October 2024). Being fiscally conservative to build up financial reserves has been a top priority (a rate analysis and recommended increase will be implemented and required to leverage any loan funding made available to Cedar Springs) to build a foundation to stabilize this community. Since the new entity was established, the new board meets regularly, supporting the onboarding licensing of water operators in the community, adopted fiscally responsible practices, working to build a 5-10 year plan, and will build policies, adjust bylaws and improve operations as they have more time and knowledge in their positions. Secured $80k in grants from DEQ and USDA to complete a facility plan addressing upgrades and growth required for the system over the next 20 years.

2. Water Source: 

The Cedar Springs’ two wells experienced catastrophic water decline (confirmed October 2024 but suspected to be an issue dating back further), and the water system must routinely haul water for minimal water provision. Cedar Springs is in need of at least one more well to be drilled as soon as possible. The well site evaluation is underway with the water system’s consulting engineer. CSCW has since secured DEQ emergency funding in total of $1.18M to replace our water source. It has been utilized to haul water, hire an engineer to identify and design a replacement well. The system remains in close contact with a well driller to mobilize when ready. Funding is limited to increasing source water capacity (through the construction of a new well).

3. Water Quality:

Water disinfection: The chlorination system being utilized to disinfect and prevent bacteria contamination due to the introduction of bacteria in the system's aging infrastructure. The DEQ has given approval to include chlorination in the scope of the emergency funds to redesign, and construct an approved chlorination method that will allow the system to adequate disinfect the water, especially as the system works to replace the aging infrastructure. 

Lead exceedances: The system experienced a lead exceedance under previous ownership, and continues to experience lead exceedances warranting a Do Not Drink notice until remedied. The system is completing a full Lead Service Line inventory to prioritize the replacement of galvanized and lead connections that may exist. Secondarily, the system will evaluate the need for a corrosive control plan due to the low PH of the current primary water source to 

4. Storage: 

2-5,000 gallon tanks are grossly undersized for household demand and leaking heavily, with costs to temporarily patch exceeding $14,000 dollars. The water system also does not have capacity for necessary fire flow for the 4 hydrants located within distribution. Upon completion of Cedar Springs’ facility plan, the board’s top priority is the storage tank replacement. Cedar Springs is looking to leverage the Bureaus of Reclamation WaterSMART, CDBG and DEQ’s State Revolving Loan program (depending on system’s ability to take on debt) to fund and complete this replacement project. The combination of a replacement well and appropriately sized storage should guarantee stability to water for this community’s current and future demand year-round.

5. Distribution and metering: 

With no recent improvements, the board is reliant on original engineering from the early 1980’s to attempt to isolate and address ongoing leaks. Operators must practice extreme care in utilizing main and household valves due to the deteriorating infrastructures. Without individual meters throughout every property or a flow meter leaving our tanks, we have no way of understanding what water is being consumed or lost within distribution. Cedar Springs’ last phase of construction to upgrade their infrastructure and bring the system into compliance will be the distribution lines, valve and meter replacement/installation. They are currently evaluating a variety of funding opportunities including CDBG application, SRF loan funds, and Bureau of Reclamation grants.

Opportunities to get involved

Review documents

Write protocols

Funding applications

Website development and updates

Quarterly newsletter distributions

Wellhouse and well cleanup