Storage Facility Sues City And Contractors Over Reservoir Rupture

A storage facility has filed a lawsuit against the city of Lewiston, Idaho and two construction companies, alleging negligence in connection with the 2023 High Reservoir Rupture.

WEL LLC, the owner of 16th Avenue Mini Storage, filed the complaint Monday in the 2nd Judicial District Court in Nez Perce County. The lawsuit names the city of Lewiston, IMCO General Construction Inc., and Control System Technology Inc. as defendants.

The rupture, which occurred on January 18, 2023, caused significant flooding that damaged eight buildings at the storage facility, destroyed fencing and gates, and washed away tenants' personal belongings, according to the lawsuit. WEL LLC claims the damages also include expenses for repairs, property replacement, and lost rental income.

In court filings, WEL LLC stated it had submitted a notice of claim to the city on July 7, 2023, but the city did not respond within the required 90-day period, effectively denying the claim.

The lawsuit accuses the city of failing to properly maintain the High Reservoir, alleging deficiencies in alarms, shutoff valves, overflow prevention, and leak control systems. These failures, the lawsuit claims, contributed to the reservoir's rupture.

The lawsuit also points to the involvement of IMCO General Construction and its subcontractor, Control System Technology, which were working on the city's new water treatment plant at the time of the incident. According to court documents, a report from the city indicates that on January 17, 2023, Control Systems Technology employees accessed the city’s system remotely to address an issue with the plant. During this process, an on-site worker disconnected and reconnected a network cable, leading to a loss of connectivity. This caused a valve to malfunction, giving inaccurate water level readings and resulting in the reservoir’s overfilling and eventual rupture.

The lawsuit holds all three parties liable for negligence. Additionally, it accuses the city of trespass and nuisance for the water and debris that entered the storage property.

WEL LLC is seeking compensation for damages to the property and recovery of losses, with the amount to be determined at a jury trial. Summons have been issued to the city of Lewiston, IMCO General Construction, and Control System Technology.

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Main image credit: August Frank, Lewiston Tribune

Interior image credit: DailyFLY