Contact: MaryAnna Peavey, Grants and Loans Bureau Chief, Maryanna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
BOISE – The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a $2,760,881 low-interest drinking water construction loan and $2,149,119 in Legislative Supplemental Funding to the City of Worley in Kootenai County, Idaho.
The funding will be used to construct a new groundwater well, upgrade well facilities, repair tank 2, replace service meters, and purchase new water rights.
The Idaho State Legislature authorized DEQ to receive and distribute the legislative supplemental funds to construct drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements per Idaho House Bill No. 455 sections 4 and 5 (2025).
DEQ is authorized by state law to make loans to assist in constructing public drinking water systems. The loan from DEQ’s State Revolving Loan Fund, which is capitalized annually by grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, carries a simple 2% interest rate and is payable over 30 years. Since the annual cost of drinking water service for residential customers exceeds 1.5% of the median household income, the City of Worley qualifies for a disadvantaged loan, which carries very favorable repayment terms. The favorable terms represent a $6,045,983 savings to the community when compared to average costs for municipal general obligation debt issuances.