DEQ seeks comment on draft reuse permit for city of Genesee

Accepting comments from May 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. 

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking comment on a draft reuse permit for the city of Genesee.

The city is proposing to construct, own, and operate a new Class 2 municipal wastewater treatment facility and decommission the existing treatment facility. Treatment will be through a three-cell aerated lagoon treatment system, two submerged aerated rock filters for ammonia reduction, and chlorine disinfection and dichlorination in order to produce Class C recycled water. The new facility will increase available acreage for land application from 6 acres to 34.8 acres. The city intends to increase land application rates from 4 million gallons per year to 27.5 million gallons year, reducing total discharge volumes to Cow Creek authorized under Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit ID-002012-5.

Operation of the wastewater treatment and reuse facility is expected to begin in 2025. The permit would authorize reuse operations for seven years and establish monitoring requirements, limits on nutrient and hydraulic loading, and conditions established by DEQ to protect public health and the environment.

The permit materials are available for public review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 North Hilton Street, Boise, Idaho 83706), Lewiston Regional Office (1118 F Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501), and on DEQ’s Public Comment Opportunities page. Written comments will be accepted through May 31, 2024, until 5 p.m. MDT. Submit comments electronically on DEQ’s website or by mail or email to: 

Todd Higgins
1410 N. Hilton St.
Boise, ID 83703
todd.higgins@deq.idaho.gov

Related documents 

Draft permit
Staff analysis

Accessibility Services: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.