This page provides project submittal information, checklists, and guidance for engineers and developers working on public drinking water and wastewater projects.
Submit a Drinking Water or Wastewater Engineering Project for Review
To expedite the review process, submit the project information and upload the engineering documents online. A confirmation email will be sent once the project submittal has been received and processed for review (check your spam filter). Engineering documents submitted must be appropriately stamped, signed, and dated by a professional engineer licensed in the state of Idaho. Reference the flowcharts for wastewater and drinking water to see the project submittal, review, and approval process.
Hard copy documents may also be submitted at the appropriate DEQ regional office. Expect additional review time to process hard copy submittals.
DEQ strives to meet the 42-day review deadline for plans and specifications required by Idaho Code 39-118 and has a 30-day internal review goal for all project submittals. Track the total days in review and project status using the status report below, or open the Engineering Review Status Report in your browser.
Checklists for Plans and Specification Reviews
Checklists ensure that important but non-routine considerations are addressed and the application package is complete. Completed plan and specification checklists can expedite the review process.
Before filling out the following checklists, contact the DEQ regional office in the area where the project will be located for specific instructions.
Complete a General Plan and Specification Review Checklist for each project. As needed, complete project-specific checklists for the type of infrastructure to be constructed.
- Review the checklists, guidance, and forms to assist with plan and specification reviews.
Engineering Waiver of Design Standards
An engineering wavier provides dismissal of specific engineering design standards found in the “Idaho Rules for Public Drinking Water Systems” (IDAPA 58.01.08), “Wastewater Rules” (IDAPA 58.01.16), or “Recycled Water Rules” (IDAPA 58.01.17). DEQ may consider issuing an engineering waiver for drinking water or wastewater projects if not explicitly imposed by Idaho statute and if it can be shown that the requirement is not necessary for protecting public health, protecting the environment, and satisfactory operation and maintenance of the system. System owners or engineers seeking to obtain an engineering waiver should contact DEQ’s regional office engineering staff to discuss project specific constraints and the likelihood of receiving a waiver.
A confirmation email will be sent once the waiver application has been received and processed for review (check your spam filter). A hard copy waiver application may also be submitted at the appropriate DEQ regional office. Upon receiving a completed waiver application, DEQ engineering staff will prepare a staff analysis and issue the record of decision for issuance or denial of waiver.
This page provides checklists, guidance, and project submittal information for engineers and developers working on public drinking water and wastewater projects.
See our project submittal, review, and approval process flow charts for wastewater and drinking water.
Submit Your Engineer Project for Review
Submit documents using the appropriate regional office link below. Engineering documents submitted for review must be sent in PDF format, and as appropriate, stamped, signed, and dated. Submittals with multiple documents should be uploaded in a ZIP file, and although PDF format is preferred, supporting information can be in any Microsoft Office format. Not adhering to the requested formats may result in a delay of review.
Step 1: Download and complete the Engineering Review Transmittal Form.
Step 2: Upload the transmittal form and your submittal to the correct regional office:
- Boise (Track your project status here)
- Coeur d’Alene
- Idaho Falls
- Lewiston
- Pocatello
- Twin Falls
Checklists for Plans and Specification Reviews
Checklists can help ensure that important but nonroutine considerations are addressed and the application package is complete. Completed checklists can also expedite the plan and specification review.
Before filling out the following checklists, contact the DEQ regional office in the area where your project will be located for specific instructions.
Complete a General Plan and Specification Review Checklist for each project; use others as required for particular projects.
- Review our checklists, guidance, and forms to assist with plan and specification reviews.
Guidance for Engineers and Developers
Guidance does not have the force and effect of law or rule. It is designed to help those impacted by agency actions to comply with laws and rules. The documents may include memoranda, manuals, policy statements, interpretations of law or rules, and other materials that are of general applicability, whether prepared by the agency alone or jointly with other persons. In some cases, guidance consists of recommended best management practices.
- For assistance with engineering and development projects, see our list of guidance documents.