The need for drinking water and fire suppression were the impetus that forced the incorporation of the community of Dover. After a fire forced the closure of the local lumber mill, the intake pumps were no longer maintained, the water line leaks worsened and there were no fire hydrants. The Panhandle Health District issued a "Boil Water" notice in 1980. Truly, Dover was created from fire and born of a need for water!
In 1990, after nearly ten years of boiling drinking water, the City of Dover developed a Slow-Sand Filter water system to treat surface water from Lake Pend Oreille. The system was designed by Tom Yeager and Darius Ruen of Ruen Yeager & Associates with the cooperation of Steve Tanner of the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
Our water system has been featured in American Water Works Association Publications and as a model for the development of over 15 other systems in the U.S. and abroad. We are proud that this system continues to be a very “green” eco-friendly yet cost effective technology with no added chemicals except the required chlorine.
Expansion and upgrades designed by Rob Tate of Tate Engineering are currently being implemented as a result of community growth and to improve fire flow volumes. The new storage tank is completed and providing greater available water supply to the city.
Water is also provided to parts of the city from Syringa Water District and many private wells.
For a copy of the Water Installation Guidelines, permits, and information about hook up fees and monthly rates contact:
Water problems? Contact:
Billing questions? Contact: