The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of $279,580 to seven drinking water and wastewater systems to help the facilities evaluate system deficiencies and determine necessary upgrades. The funding is made possible through Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho plan.
“Families, farmers, ranchers, and all Idaho residents rely on clean, efficient water and wastewater systems,” Little said. “These systems are not only a crucial part of our way of life, but our economy as well. Funding for these projects from my Leading Idaho plan aims to ensure that Idaho residents – especially those in our rural communities – can depend on our water and wastewater infrastructure for generations to come.”
In Boundary County, Skin Creek Water Association was awarded $30,000 to prepare a drinking water planning study to evaluate the current drinking water system and identify needed improvements. The total project cost is $60,000, and the remaining $30,000 will be funded by the sssociation.
DEQ’s Planning Grant Program provides assistance to eligible wastewater and drinking water systems. These grants are used to develop engineering reports identifying the most cost-effective, environmentally sound method of upgrading a system to achieve and maintain compliance with state and federal standards. Grants cover up to 50% of eligible planning costs, with the remaining cost is the grant recipient’s responsibility.