Kennewick Irrigation District

Kennewick Irrigation District Making the Desert Bloom...Since 1917

Hot temperatures are just around the corner, and unfortunately, we still see people using canals as a place to cool off,...
06/10/2026

Hot temperatures are just around the corner, and unfortunately, we still see people using canals as a place to cool off, sometimes with their pets.

Please don’t. Canals are not safe for swimming, wading, or playing. Canal roads are also private property.

Why is it dangerous?

Canals carry raw Yakima River water, which is treated to help combat algae. This water is not safe to swallow and may be harmful to people or pets.

Debris such as rocks, construction materials, appliances, branches, or other dumped and wind-blown items may be hidden below the surface. Jumping in could cause serious injury.

Even when the current looks slow, it can be strong enough to knock you off your feet and carry you downstream.

Earthen, concrete, and HDPE-lined canals can become extremely slippery, especially when algae is present, making it very difficult to climb out.

What should you do if someone falls in?

Do not jump in after them.

Call 911 immediately. If you don’t have a phone, yell for help.

Walk alongside the canal and keep the person in sight as they move with the current.

Toss in an object that can help them float, if one is available.

What should you do if you fall in?

Stay calm.

Float toward the side of the canal.

Yell for help.

Canals are working waterways, not swimming areas. Please keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe by staying out.

Interested in sharing the message? We have printable (see photos) handouts on our website at kid.org/your-kid/water-safety.

Together, we can help prevent a tragedy.

Kennewick Irrigation District is hiring! For more information or to apply, visit kid.org/employment.Current openings:Com...
05/27/2026

Kennewick Irrigation District is hiring! For more information or to apply, visit kid.org/employment.

Current openings:

Comptroller/Treasurer
Industrial Mechanic
Mechanic I
Staff Engineer (EIT)
Staff Engineer (PE)
Maintenance I
Temporary Maintenance Laborer

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed on Monday, May 25.We pause to remember and honor the men and wo...
05/21/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed on Monday, May 25.

We pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. 🇺🇸

Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, May 26.

UPDATE | The Bureau of Reclamation has completed repairs at the Chandler Pumping Plant, and both pumps are back in opera...
05/19/2026

UPDATE | The Bureau of Reclamation has completed repairs at the Chandler Pumping Plant, and both pumps are back in operation. 🎉

Thank you for your patience as this critical repair work was completed.

We also want to thank our staff who worked through the weekend to bring systems back online, and the Bureau of Reclamation for bringing in additional staff to complete their work as quickly as possible.

If you are experiencing any issues, please call our Customer Service Department at 509.586.9111.

UPDATE: Water is currently flowing down the main canal. Similar to the start of the season, it will take several days fo...
05/14/2026

UPDATE: Water is currently flowing down the main canal. Similar to the start of the season, it will take several days for the system to fill and pressurize for regular use. Some areas may see service restored as soon as this weekend. Please visit our Water Status Map for the most up-to-date information on when water may be available in your area.

Full press release below:

PRESS RELEASE: Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) is informing customers that repairs to the out-of-service pump at the Chandler Pumping Plant have progressed to the point that one of the plant’s two pumps has been restarted. The second pump is still being reassembled and is anticipated to be online by Tuesday, May 19, according to notification received from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

KID has begun refilling the canal system and will continue restarting the canal, pump, and piping systems throughout the weekend. Some areas of the system will take several days to receive water as the system is refilled and stabilized for water delivery. Exact timing will vary by location; the most up-to-date information will be available on the KID Water Status Map at KID.org.

The operation of one pump is expected to provide limited capacity during this time of the season. Customers should be aware that warmer temperatures may increase demand before the second pump is online.

Once water service is restored, customers are reminded to follow KID’s voluntary watering schedule to help manage demand as the system returns to normal operations.

Because the Chandler facility is owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, KID does not control plant operations. However, the District has remained in close communication with Reclamation throughout the repair process and will continue working to minimize impacts to customers as water deliveries resume.

Additional updates will be provided when more information becomes available.

The Bureau of Reclamation will stop water deliveries into our canal system this afternoon.If you live in an area served ...
05/08/2026

The Bureau of Reclamation will stop water deliveries into our canal system this afternoon.

If you live in an area served by a pond, we encourage you to limit water use during the shutdown. Conserving water can help extend the available supply and may reduce the number of days your area experiences an outage.

Some areas, including those served by the Columbia Irrigation District Canal, will not be affected by the planned shutdown.

Once the shutdown begins, you can visit kid.org to check whether your specific area is affected.

We understand this shutdown is inconvenient, however, both pumps will be necessary in order to meet summer demand.

FAQ:

1. Why don't we receive a discount for this outage? Your assessment pays for the infrastructure (pumps, canals, pipes, etc.), power, fuel, and manpower it takes to deliver water from the canal to your property. It is not a pay by use system. Similar to a property tax, the assessment sticks with the property and supports the shared systems that moves water through a desert environment.

2. Why couldn't they do this in the off-season? Every winter, the Bureau of Reclamation conducts routine maintenance on the Chandler Pumping Plant. Some of these activities take most of the off-season. As they were putting things back together in preparation for the upcoming irrigation season , an issue was discovered with the pump. These pumps are the size of a garage and take custom built parts and pieces to assemble. We coordinated with the Bureau of Reclamation to find the best possible time (there is no good time, but definitely before summer temps) for them to make the repair so that both pumps could be utilized to meet demand. Had we waited till the upcoming off-season, one pump would have been sufficient in the spring, but is not strong enough provide enough water to our district over the summer.

We appreciate your patience as the Bureau of Reclamation makes the repair. Once completed, it will take several days to refill our canal system. It is our hope that the repair takes less than the planned 10 days and we will update you accordingly.

Our office will be closed today, May 4th, due to a City of Kennewick water line break. We plan to reopen tomorrow. Thank...
05/04/2026

Our office will be closed today, May 4th, due to a City of Kennewick water line break. We plan to reopen tomorrow. Thank you.

PRESS RELEASE: KENNEWICK, WA - Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) is informing customers of an upcoming temporary shut...
05/01/2026

PRESS RELEASE:

KENNEWICK, WA - Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) is informing customers of an upcoming temporary shutdown of water service related to repairs at the Chandler Pumping Plant, the federal facility owned and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that serves as the main source of KID’s water supply.

One of the plant’s two pumps is currently out of service after issues were identified during routine maintenance. The remaining pump is meeting current demand, but both pumps will be needed as water use increases later next month.

To return the pump to service, a temporary shutdown will be necessary beginning Friday, May 8. The shutdown is expected to last approximately ten days, with repairs being completed by Monday, May 18. These dates may change slightly in the coming days, and as more information becomes available, updates will be provided to the community.

During the shutdown period, water deliveries through KID’s canal system will be unavailable, with limited exceptions. Service will be restored as quickly as possible once the repairs are complete. Customers are encouraged to visit the District Water Status Map at KID.org for area-specific information during the interruption.

Customers may consider giving lawns and landscapes a deeper, thorough watering ahead of the shutdown, while continuing to follow the District’s voluntary watering schedule prior to that date.

Because the Chandler facility is owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, KID does not control plant operations. However, the District is working closely with Reclamation to minimize impacts to the community and to keep customers informed as repair work moves forward.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Media and Public Contact:

Kennewick Irrigation District: (509) 586-9111
Bureau of Reclamation: (509) 575-5848

04/30/2026

Shane Leonard, District Manager for Kennewick Irrigation District, shares KID Water Supply Outlook with Roller on Eagle 106.5.

Yesterday, we had the privilege of participating in the 2026 Annual Salmon Summit!Students from across the Tri-Cities ra...
04/22/2026

Yesterday, we had the privilege of participating in the 2026 Annual Salmon Summit!

Students from across the Tri-Cities raised salmon in their classrooms and then released them into the Columbia River. Afterward, each class visited a variety of local agencies to learn more about the work they do in our community.

At our booth, students tested their knowledge of canal safety by answering “safe or not safe” canal-related questions. Each classroom also received an unofficial, but very official to us, Canal Safety Certificate to display in their classroom!

We wish we could have been back today, but Mother Nature had other plans. Until next year!

You can learn more about the Salmon Summit by visiting: bentoncd.org/salmon-summit

Address

2015 S. Ely Street
Kennewick, WA
99337

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15095869111

Website

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