Water Tank

The City of Thompson Falls is located in western Montana along the Clark Fork River in Sanders County. The existing water system for the City serves water to properties within the City’s limits.  The Thompson Falls water system originated as a railroad water system built in the late 1800’s.

The public water supply system consists of several components, including 7 developed springs on Ashley Creek (infiltration gallery), water transmission mains, 2 water storage tanks, 2 operating water wells, and the distribution system.  The water system consists of more than 90,560 feet of transmission main and distribution water main pipe. The distribution system consists of three pressure zones which are controlled and delineated by pressure reducing valves (PRVs).  All water supplies are disinfected with chlorine.

The three components of the system that will be addressed as part of the project include supply, storage, and distribution.  The City currently lacks the capacity to supply water at peak day demand, and there is a storage deficit of water future demand.  Finally, old and undersized water mains and fittings are leaking water throughout the City.

The proposed project includes replacements of several components in the existing water system.  A new Pre-stressed concrete tank will replace the existing tank above Jefferson Street, and the water storage tank that receives water from Ashley Springs will be rehabilitated. Within Thompson Falls the distribution system will be upgraded with PVC water mains, new valves, water meter pits, and hydrants. Also included in the proposed project includes performing a detailed hydrogeologic assessment of the potential new source well site and a review of the previous reports completed in the area on the wells and springs. A more detailed assessment of the proposed new well source and location will be completed along with recommendations as determined by the findings of the design level hydrogeologic assessment.