April 10, 2023
Contact: Adam Bussan, Senior Water Quality Engineer, adam.bussan@deq.idaho.gov
MOUNTAIN HOME – The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking comment on a draft water reuse permit for Idaho Power Company’s natural gas power plants in Elmore County.
Idaho Power operates two natural gas power plants, Danskin and Bennett Mountain, near the city of Mountain Home, Idaho. The plants produce industrial wastewater that is land applied. Danskin recycled water is applied to 2.17 acres of landscaped berms, and Bennett Mountain recycled water is added to a pond that irrigates the city’s 90-acre golf course. The draft reuse permit is for existing facilities that had previously been exempted from reuse permitting requirements. The draft permit authorizes operations for 10 years.
The draft reuse permit establishes monitoring requirements and conditions established by DEQ to protect public health and the environment. As part of the permitting process, the permittee was also required to show that its operation would not cause public health or environmental concerns.
The permit materials are available for public review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 North Hilton Street, Boise, Idaho), Boise Regional Office (1445 N. Orchard, Boise, Idaho), and on DEQ’s Public Comment Opportunities page.
Written comments will be accepted through May 8, 2023, at 5 p.m. MDT. Submit comments electronically on DEQ’s website or by mail or email to:
Adam Bussan
Senior Water Quality Engineer
1445 N. Orchard
Boise, ID 83706
adam.bussan@deq.idaho.gov