Boise Citizens Have Concerns Over City Wastewater Sent into Boise River

 

A Boise neighborhood association’s concerns about the possible diversion of treated wastewater into a canal used by residents has put a spotlight on the city plants that treat the wastewater.

The water comes from the city-run Lander Street Water Renewal Facility. It’s one of two such plants; the other, the West Boise plant.

The Idaho Statesman reports, the treated water now flows directly into the Boise River.

City officials say discharged water meets federal standards and is clean enough to swim and fish in, though not to drink.

Stakeholders worry that the treated wastewater contains what are called contaminants of emerging concern, or new chemicals for which the Environmental Protection Agency does not yet have standards.

City officials acknowledge that emerging-concern contaminants are present in the water, but there are no standards set yet for emerging contaminants.