b'WastewaterOVERVIEWAccording to the Idaho Department of Environmentalover the next 20 years, Idaho will need $1.38 billion in Quality, Wastewater is water discharged fromfunding for wastewater infrastructure.2 Furthermore, households and businesses containing pollutants,a report from the Idaho Conservation League found such as oil, dirt, human waste, or chemicals, that mayonly about 25 percent of Idaho cities received a passing damage water quality when introduced to a receivinggrade, meaning they had no violations in the past three water body. If untreated, wastewater may cause seriousyears. This is an abysmal rate, according to the report. harm to the environment, threatens human health, andSmall cities and towns had the most violations because must be treated to remove these pollutants before itsof a lack of funding for technological improvements released back into the environment.1 to sewage plants. Of the 112 municipal facilities throughout Idaho,ten facilities accounted for nearly Idahoans rely on a variety of wastewater collection andhalf (46.4%) of the total violations that occurred. treatment systems, including municipal wastewaterThe three worst performers are Driggs, Wilder, and treatment plants and septic systems (see Figure 1 forHagerman, which are collectively responsible for 20% a breakdown of wastewater collection and treatmentof all violations in the state.3systems). A rapidly growing population has helpedWASTEWATER TREATMENTspur new wastewater collection and treatment facilities built to accommodate an increased demand. IdahosThe purpose of wastewater treatment facilities is largest challenge will be to maintain and increaseto eectively treat sewage so that it can be safely funding for ongoing maintenance requirements. Thedischarged to a local waterbody, which is why so many U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates thatIdahoan communities are situated near rivers and lakes. Wastewater Collection and Treatment SystemsCentralized DecentralizedMunicipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Individual Septic System Central Septic System Also called a publicly owned 1 or 2 homesAlso called a community systemtreatment worksWastewater treated on-site2 or more homes or 2,500 gallons per day Wastewater treated at a central Underground (subsurface)Wastewater treated on-site or o-sitelocationUsed for individual homes not Used for subdivisions, resorts, schools, etc.Many types of treatment options connected to municipal systems not connected to municipal systems Used for cities and townsLarge Soil AbsorptionSmall, Private Wastewater System Treatment Plant 2,500 gallons per dayMany types ofWastewater treated on-site treatment options Underground (subsurface)FIGURE 1. Breakdown of wastewater collection and treatment systemsInformation in this section should be updated yearly in tandem with the Idaho Conservation Leagues Annual Idaho Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance Evaluation https://www.idahoconservation.org/Wastewater 123'