Pocatello Opens New Water Facility

The city of Pocatello has just finished construction a new multi-million dollar facility for it’s water department and is using the open house as an opportunity to teach about water conservation.

Mayor Brian Blad said the city was past due for building this facility.

“It’s just a shop that we’ve needed for years. The water shop, the old one, is just so old and rundown that it just wasn’t feasible anymore,? Blad said.

He said the old water shop was so undersized, that some water department vehicles could just barely fit.

“Every day we pulled air out of the tires and rolled the tractor and truck or two inside because they were too tall to get into the building with air in the tires,? Blad said.

During this week the city is having an openhouse, showing groups of kids and adults the new facility and teaching them about the need to conserve water.

“I think we really take water for granted. We turn on the faucet and it’s readily available. We live in an arid desert climate, but we don’t use water as such,? Water Dept. Engineer Cindy Campbell said.

Blad said if the community doesn’t change it’s water habits, the region will soon be left high and dry.

“We’re right on top of one of the largest aquifers in the nation, and that aquifer is being depleted. We are losing ground on that aquifer. We’re not replenishing it like we should,? Blad said.

The new water facility is the first city owned building in Pocatello to be LEEDS certified for energy efficiency.

The new water shop cost the city $3 million.