Trail Water Pump Gets Another Bug Water Must Be Boiled To Rid It Of Coliform Bacteria

For the second time in two years, signs warn Centennial Trail users not to drink from a pump that was installed to illustrate the fragility and importance of clean water.

Kootenai County sunk the 120-foot well near Stateline in 1992, using a $10,000 state grant.

The county installed the big green pump, picnic table and informational signs so trail users could refresh themselves and learn about the Spokane-Rathdrum Aquifer at the same time.

It’s become a popular rest stop for cross-state bicyclists.

Coliform bacteria was found in two routine water samples taken from the well on separate days earlier this month. That led county officials to post signs on Wednesday, warning that the water should be boiled for at least a minute before it’s consumed.

Coliform bacteria normally comes from human or animal waste, said Kurtis Robinson of the county Department of Parks, Recreation and Waterways.

“This happened about the same time last year,” Robinson said. “I don’t know what it is in the system. We can’t figure it out.”

Robinson said the county will wait a few days, then test the water again.

“It typically clears itself up,” he said, adding that the test results don’t necessarily mean the bacteria is coming from the aquifer. That huge underground reservoir provides water to most homes in Kootenai and Spokane counties.

“If we have critters in our pump, field mice or something, that could be causing the contamination,” he said.