Idaho State Capitol

Idaho has awarded about $19 million to seven drinking water and wastewater systems for improvement projects or planning studies.

“Water is our most valuable resource, and we absolutely must keep up the infrastructure to ensure water is clean and plentiful for this generation and future ones,” Gov. Brad Little said in a state Department of Environmental Quality news release.

The projects also can relieve the burden on local governments to pay for cover projects, he said.

The construction projects are funded from American Rescue Plan money. Water and wastewater infrastructure project funding of $300 million, directed to the department, was proposed by the governor and approved by the 2022 legislature. Communities access it through the department’s State Revolving Loan Fund program of low-interest loans and grants.

The planning studies aim to help facility managers evaluate system deficiencies and determine necessary improvements. Grants are used to develop engineering reports that identify the most cost-effective and environmentally sound ways to improve systems and comply with state and federal standards. The department’s Planning Grant program funds the grants, which cover up to half of eligible planning costs.

Construction projects included are:

• City of Gooding, $13.87 million for wastewater system improvements to nine lift stations, a collection system, and force main piping.

• City of Grand View, $2.35 million for wastewater improvements including installing a total-containment lagoon, optimizing one cell and relining another, improving dike and flood resilience, and improving the collection system and lift main.

• Mud Lake and Terreton Water and Sewer District, in Jefferson County, $1.86 million to start a first phase of improvements comprising lift station upgrades and lining three lagoon cells.

• Bayview Water and Sewer District, in Kootenai County, more than $393,000 for supply and distribution improvements as part of the project’s first phase.

Planning studies include:

• City of Cascade, $20,000 to prepare a wastewater planning study evaluating the current system and identifying needed improvements. The total project cost is $40,000. The city will fund half.

• City of Glenns Ferry, $50,250 to prepare a drinking water planning study evaluating the current system and identifying needed improvements.. The total project cost is $100,500. The city will fund half.

• Mud Lake and Terreton Water and Sewer District, in Jefferson County, $25,000 to prepare a drinking water planning study and environmental review evaluating the current system and identifying needed improvements. The total project cost is $50,000. The district will fund half.