City of Twin Falls suing over failed water rights

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — On March 6, the City of Twin Falls filed a lawsuit against the Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) for violations related to a 2008 agreement to increase water rights. In a news release from the City of Twin Falls, the lawsuit, filed in Idaho District Court, claims the IWRB didn’t honor the contract. The agreement said the City of Twin Falls would pay $10 million to help the IWRB purchase Pristine Springs Property. In exchange, the city would be granted new water rights at Sunnybrook Spring.

The news release states the city’s permit has not moved forward due to the Snake River Basin Moratorium, which restricts approval of new water rights for water that would be used and not returned to the system, such as drinking water, from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.

Also in the news release, the City alleges the IWRB failed to follow through with the agreement of securing additional water rights needed to meet the needs of the increasing population and future growth. They also claim the IWRB did not follow through on the promise to adjust existing water rights. IWRB then sold Pristine Springs Property to the College of Southern Idaho without providing the city with access to the water source.

In the lawsuit, the City is seeking a jury trial for the return of the $13.4 million the Idaho Department of Water Resources received.

“Water Board Officials say they have no comment,” according to board spokesman Steven Stuebner.

The City of Twin Falls says they cannot comment on pending litigation at this time.

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