RATHDRUM, Idaho – The City of Rathdrum has issued an emergency notice asking residents to limit water use after a sewer line was damaged by a private contractor.

The incident happened when TDS Telecom accidentally struck the city’s main sewer force main in Post Falls during directional boring work, the city announced.

The city has temporarily shut down all sewer lift stations to protect public health and the environment. This means no wastewater is currently flowing from Rathdrum to the treatment plant in Post Falls.

Residents and businesses are urged to minimize water use by avoiding flushing toilets, taking showers and using laundry machines or dishwashers until further notice.

Vacuum trucks are on site around the clock to prevent lift stations from overflowing.

Public Works crews,

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