Welch Comer Engineers

North Kootenai Water District Conservation Plan

Kootenai County, Idaho

PROJECT OVERVIEW

North Kootenai Water District (NKWD) is the 3rd largest water purveyor in Kootenai County.  In 2007, in recognition of the value of NKWD’s primary water source and in response to the “Ground Water Management Plan,” developed by the Rathdrum Prairie Ground Water Advisory Committee in 2005, the District contracted with Welch Comer Engineers to prepare the first official conservation plan in the State of Idaho.

This document describes the NKWD service area profile, including existing water rights and existing demands.  The document establishes goals for the District relative to reducing overall production and conservation, including implementation of a process to more accurately track production and consumption.  Additionally, the document provided a method for creating a conservation fund and identification of conservation improvements to be funded in the next 3 years. 

KEY ELEMENTS

• First Official Conservation Plan per the “Ground Water Management Plan,” developed by the Rathdrum Prairie Ground Water Advisory Committee, in the State of Idaho.
• Outlined a process for the District to accurately monitor and track production and consumption in order to establish baseline flow rates.
• Outlined strategies for lowering baseline water production and consumption on a per capita, per connection, or per ER basis.
• Outlined a process for conservation funding.