A major infusion of state and federal funding could help communities across Idaho update their drinking water and wastewater facilities.
Much of the money comes from federal stimulus programs. That includes $300 million over five years from the American Rescue Plan Act, plus another $253 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Gov. Brad Little is also recommending a one-time expenditure of $44 million in state general funds to meet the required match for the Infrastructure Investment monies. If approved by the Legislature, the combined $597 million would go into the Water Pollution Control Account, which offers grants and low-interest loans to communities for drinking water and wastewater projects. The account historically provides about $70 million per year for such projects, mostly in the form of low-interest loans.
Alex Adams, the governor’s budget director, said the additional funding offers a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to address critical statewide infrastructure needs.
Jess Byrne, director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality discussed the proposed appropriation during his presentation to the joint budget committee Thursday. Byrne said the agency notified communities earlier this year that more pollution control funding could be available. That generated 263 letters of interest, for projects totaling about $1.4 billion. (Lewiston Tribune)
