Garfield Bay water, sewer district awarded $1.27M grant

SAGLE — A Bonner County water and sewer district has received a $1.27 million construction grant through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's State Revolving Loan Fund program.

The construction grant was one of 10 announced Thursday by the department on Thursday. The 10 grants, scattered throughout the state total $35,250,951.

These construction projects are funded from American Rescue Plan Act funds that Idaho Gov. Brad Little directed to DEQ in 2022.

The Sagle area district received $1,277,162 to upgrade five sewer lift stations. Funds also will go toward installation of lift station standby power, extension of the district's sewer collection lines, and creation of an additional wastewater reuse irrigation area.

The city of Harrison in Kootenai County was awarded $6,567,348 to transition to application treatment as well as construct a new 4-inch parallel force main to the system’s wastewater treatment plant. Funds also would go to upgrade the system’s existing parallel force main, and construct a new central lift station.

Also receiving funding were the city of Aberdeen, $5,828,297 for perform wastewater system improvements; the city of Ashton,$950,000 to construct a headworks building and replace sewer lines; Bruneau Water and Sewer District, $2,553,092 to upgrade a lift station among other items; the city of Elk River in Clearwater County, $3,034,208 to complete closed-circuit television inspection and extend sewer collection lines among other items; The city of McCammon, $2,741,323 to install a new water tank and upsize its main transmission lines among other items; the city of New Plymouth, $498,739 to line a lagoon with a geomembrane lining system and other items; the city of Nezperce, $7,955,944 for implementation of wastewater reuse facilities and other items; and the city of Wilder, $3,844,838 to aid in a variety of permitting efforts.

“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," Little said. "That is why we made historic investments in water quality and quantity this year as part of my ‘Leading Idaho’ plan.” 

Little said the state's investments through the grants could help keep residents' property taxes low.

"Property taxes are determined locally but the investments we made in water and other infrastructure needs at the state level help relieve the burden on local government to cover costs of projects, improving the chances property owners won’t be burdened with the costs,” Little said.

In 2022, Idaho officials approved plans to roll out $300 million in water and wastewater infrastructure project funding, benefiting communities across Idaho through DEQ’s State Revolving Loan Fund program. The program provides low-interest loans and grants to qualified recipients to improve their drinking water and wastewater facilities.

The construction grants represent an estimated $57,106,895 savings to communities compared to average costs for municipal general obligation debt issuances, DEQ officials said.