Irrigation districts serving the Tri-Cities and across the Mid-Columbia will begin shutting down water deliveries later this week.

The Kennewick Irrigation District, which provides water to about 21,000 customers on 20,000 acres in and around Kennewick, will start ending its deliveries of pressurized and nonpressurized water Monday. The process is expected to be completed within 24 hours.

The shutting off of water deliveries also will involve draining KID's delivery pipes, which should be completed by Oct. 24.

Water will remain in KID's canal system for several days, however, as KID employees conduct several tests to ensure the canal system is in good condition. The canal testing process, which won't provide water to customers, will continue all next week, ending Oct. 19.

The Columbia Irrigation District, which serves portions of Kennewick and Finley areas, also will begin cutting off its water deliveries Oct. 15.

Other irrigation districts' shutdown schedules are:

w Kiona Irrigation District, which serves Kiona near Benton City, Oct. 15.

w Badger Mountain Irrigation District, which serves the Richland area, Oct. 19.

w Benton Irrigation District, which serves the Benton City area, mid-October.

w Franklin Irrigation District, which serves areas of north Pasco, Oct. 22.

w East Columbia Basin Irrigation District, located in Othello, Oct. 22.

w South Columbia Basin Irrigation District, located in Pasco, Oct. 24.

Irrigation district canals can become an attraction for children and animals, particularly during low flows or while being drained.

KID officials caution the public to stay away from and out of all irrigation canals because of the potential risk for harm.