Idaho DEQ accepting public comments on drinking water projects

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is now accepting public comments on its Clean Water Intended Use Plan and Drinking Water Intended Use Plan, which include a total of approximately $62 million in loan funding for construction projects.

The funding would include both state grants and loans. The DEQ’s wastewater plan includes a list of 14 wastewater construction projects that requested loan funding, totalling $92 million, and 26 projects that requested grant funding. The drinking water plan includes 11 construction projects that requested a total of $24 million and 17 projects that applied for grants.

The state’s loan program offers interest rates ranging from 1.5 percent to 3 percent through fiscal year 2017 for water improvement projects. The DEQ is proposing to issue $38 million in loans for wastewater projects and $24 million for drinking water projects. For grants, the state has $250,000 available for wastewater planning projects and $350,000 for drinking water projects.

Those interested in commenting on the lists can find them online at the DEQ’s website or in person at the DEQ’s Boise office. Comments can be submitted until April 19 through email, mail, fax and on the DEQ website.