Project Sponsor
Santa-Fernwood Water and Sewer District
Purpose
This project will construct a reclaimed water system in the communities of Santa and Fernwood, Idaho, to decrease nutrient loads in Coeur d’Alene Lake via the St. Maries River. The project is jointly managed by the Fernwood Water and Sewer District and Santa Water and Sewer District and involves acquiring land and constructing a water system to provide reclaimed water for agricultural/silvicultural purposes (land-applying treated water instead of discharging it to the river).
Funding
This project received $7.01 million from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Current Status
The design of the water reuse system is complete. Construction began in fall 2025 and is scheduled to finish in fall 2026. Currently, the site is being prepared with tree thinning and burning, and sewer lines and yard pipes are being installed. Materials have been ordered and the base of the wet wall is set. More earthwork activities will continue for the next couple of months (as of February 2026).
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by approximately 660 pounds annually.