Cd'A lake pump talks continue

COEUR d’ALENE — After discussion with state regulators and submersible pump users, Sen. Bob Nonini said he plans to pursue legislation that would soften a ban on the pumps until new technology can be found.

Sen. Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, said the state Board of Electricity and the Idaho Division of Building Safety would like to resolve their issues with submersible pump users through a negotiated rulemaking process.

Earlier this year, the state announced it is going to start phasing out submersible vertical well pumps in open bodies of water. The problem is many large developments around the shores of Idaho’s lakes and rivers depend on the submersible technology for irrigation water and sometimes drinking water.

The state says the pumps pose a remote but real risk of electric shock and should be replaced with new technology as soon as possible.

However, pump users say there are no submersible pumps that are rated for open water pumping systems. Further complicating the issue is that no certification criteria have been developed to certify a pump for open water use.

Nonini said many of the lakefront property owners in Kootenai County want to ask the Legislature for enough time to develop the criteria needed to certify submersible pumps.

“We are making progress,” Nonini said, referring to Friday’s meeting with the electrical board. “They want to do negotiated rulemaking, but some of the users want it in code so we have some certainty.”

Nonini said he will begin working on legislation Monday, but he intends to keep the state regulators in the loop.

“I want try and get the support of the board,” Nonini said, adding the electrical board did oppose his first attempt to pass a similar bill. “Next week we should know where we are going to go with this.”