Darrington told to limit water use until pump fixed

DARRINGTON — People in this town are being asked to stop all outdoor watering and to curtail indoor water use after a pump at the town’s primary well broke down.

Town crews and Mayor Dan Rankin became aware of problems with the pump that draws drinking water from the well located near the Darrington school.

Despite the emergency, Darrington is not in danger of losing its water service, Rankin said.

Crews are “baby-sitting” the nearly 30-year-old piece of machinery around the clock and keeping storage tanks full until a new pump and motor can be installed Wednesday.

However, people must help out by watching the amount of water they use, Rankin said.

“If this was winter, we probably would not have to issue an alert,” Rankin said. “But it’s hot and dry up here and we use about 65 percent more water in the summer.”

Trudy LaDouceur, spokeswoman for Darrington Fire District 24, said surrounding fire departments have been alerted to the potential need for use of water tanker trucks. Darrington Fire has water reserves primed, pressurized and ready to go in case of a fire, and in a big emergency would also go to the river and pump water if necessary, she said.

“But we want people to respect the burn bans and be careful about their water use,” LaDouceur said.

Currently, though, the main well pump is limping along, Darrington’s secondary well is providing most of the water to people in town.

Problems were discovered earlier this week when town crews were installing and testing an emergency generator. It is unknown whether the testing caused problems with the pump’s underground electrical wiring or its motor, Rankin said.

“It’s not worth trying to fix it,” he said. “We need to get it out.”

The new pump and its motor had to be specially ordered from Oregon, Rankin said. Municipal water pumps don’t just sit on hardware store shelves. The new pump and motor could cost as much as $25,000, though Rankin is investigating the use of grant money to bring the cost down. Town coffers can cover most of the cost because residents have been paying a little extra for potential water pump replacement.

“We’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation until we can get the pump replaced,” Rankin said. “This has been my life for the past couple days.”

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.