Leak Masters is hired to study city's water leaks

In the first edition of this story, it was reported that TCI would do leak-detection. Leak Masters from Sandpoint was actually the company hired for detection. 

Work began Thursday morning, prompted by Troy City Council, to help correct the city’s massive water-wastage.

Leak Masters, a Sandpoint, Idaho business, started leak detection on First and Fourth streets in Troy, but will look at all 11 miles of city water pipes before it is through.

The city is wasting more than 15 million gallons of water a month because of leaks.    

Brad Jones, Troy’s new administrative assistant, said the first day of leak detection would tell a lot.

“Depending on what we find on the first day, we’ll order pipe,” Jones said.

Mayor Tony Brown expected good estimates by Friday.

TCI. a Libby business, is the likely candidate to fix the leaks once detection is done, although the Council didn’t confirm that at the meeting.

In other City Council news…

• The rate-swapping for electric, sewer and water appears to have hit a snag. 

The initial plan was for the power rates, which have caused a large surplus, would be reduced for city residents to that sewer, of which there is a debt, could be raised. The problem is charging different rates.

“We’re unsure of the legality of charging two different rates,” said Councilwoman Fran McCully.

The other solution would be to drop power and water rates for every user, not just sewer users, but that would lead to the loss of several-hundred dollars a month because of the residents on Iron Creek, who use their own septic systems.

   Councilman Phil Fisher and Mayor Brown were opposed to these users getting a free rate drop.

   City Clerk Tracy Rebo wasn’t sure what else could be done.

   Troy will try and hash out these problems before a public meeting held 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Troy Senior Center.

   That meeting is for any member of the public with concerns about changing rates. Brown said he would make himself available after the meeting.

• Troy’s Parks and Recreation Board ordered 10 “doggy stations” to be placed around the walking paths and disc golfing course to help with the dog waste problem in Troy’s public areas.

• The Red Flag identity theft protection protocols were approved. They are intended to protect those who deal with the city via card from potential theft.

• Alpine Construction, of Moyie Springs, Idaho, was approved to work in Troy, which is good, because it already had finished work on a garage.