Idaho Department
of Environmental Quality

VALLEY COUNTY — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is urging caution after national lab tests revealed the presence of cyanotoxins in material in the lakebed of North Beach.

May 24, 2023
ASHTON – The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Idaho Falls Regional Office is requesting permission to sample private wells within the Ashton-Drummond Nitrate Priority Area, which is known to be impacted by elevated nitrates in groundwater. DEQ’s priority will be to sample areas where aquifer flow directly contributes to local public drinking water sources. Nitrates in groundwater are a concern as elevated levels can prevent the body’s ability to use oxygen. Sensitive groups including infants under the age of six months are the most susceptible. The health-risk based federal drinking water standard for nitrate is 10 milligrams per liter.

June 20, 2024
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is releasing an Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) preliminary draft permit modification to the University of Idaho for preliminary review. The facility has ten days to review the preliminary draft permit modifications and fact sheet for any errors and omissions that should be addressed before the public participation period.