Rathdrum Alerts Water Customers: Irrigation Backflow Tests Due May 25, June 25

ATTENTION CITY WATER CUSTOMERS: The City of Rathdrum’s March 6 municipal newsletter reminds property owners that "annual irrigation backflow assembly tests are due by May 25th for Commercial customers and June 25th for Residential customers." Commercial operators and homeowners with irrigation systems should confirm test appointments now to meet those city-set deadlines.

The newsletter directs customers that "If your irrigation has not been activated by the due date or you have a test scheduled after the due date, please notify the Utility Billing Department." Rathdrum lists its Utility Billing phone as 208-687-0261 and advises customers to consult the City of Rathdrum website for updates; the published newsletter shows the email contact as an obfuscated token, "(/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection)," so customers requiring written confirmation should call the utility number for a clear email address or instructions.

State and regional guidance underscores why the tests matter. A Coeur d’Alene municipal newsletter used in supplementary materials states, "Annual backflow assembly testing is required by the State of Idaho and by City ordinance" and that "Irrigation backflow assemblies must be tested annually at spring irrigation start up and no later than July 1st of each calendar year." Rathdrum’s May 25 and June 25 deadlines fall earlier than the July 1 benchmark cited by the neighboring municipality, making the city’s March 6 notice the actionable schedule for Rathdrum customers.

Rathdrum’s testing reminder arrives alongside an operations advisory aimed at protecting sewer infrastructure and staff safety. Under the headline "Please Don’t Dump Grease Down the Drain," the newsletter warns, "When grease is dumped down the drain city staff has to remove the grease from our lift stations. This creates a hazard for those working in our Sewer Department as well as extra costs to provide service to our customers." The city asks residents to "pour grease into a disposable container that can be thrown away in the trash" to reduce lift station cleanings and costs.

The municipal newsletter also lists upcoming civic meetings tied to development and zoning: "Thomas/Meyer 2026 Annexation - City Council, March 11 at 5:30 pm" and "Hollice Woods Commercial Rezone - Planning and Zoning, March 18 at 5:30 pm." Agendas and packet materials are available through the city’s online pages, and the newsletter directs readers to check the city’s website for department updates.

Coeur d’Alene’s materials provide a practical contact for finding certified testers: they list Gary Alan Nolan at 208-769-2298 for approved state-licensed backflow assembly testers. Rathdrum customers who cannot secure testing before the city deadlines or who have technical questions should call Utility Billing at 208-687-0261 as the newsletter instructs, and schedule or report accordingly to avoid potential service or administrative complications.