City of Grand View, Idaho clean water infrastructure project wins EPA award for innovation, backed by Idaho DEQ funding
Idaho DEQ’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program provides low-interest loans for drinking water infrastructure projects.
The City of Grand View, Idaho received a WATERS award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of innovative and effective use of their Idaho Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is loaning the city $945,648 through this low-interest loan program to construct wastewater treatment system improvements.
Like many cities, Grand View faces the compounding issues of aging infrastructure and a growing population. The wastewater treatment system improvements funded by the loan will increase the plant’s energy efficiency as well as make the system more resilient. The project will include:
- A total containment lagoon
- Relining and optimizing treatment cells
- Dike and flood resiliency improvements
- Collection system and lift main improvements
Since the loan is low-interest (1.5% for 30 years), it will save significant finance charges over the life of the loan compared to private sector rates, making the project more affordable for the city and ratepayers.
“EPA is pleased to recognize the City of Grand View for their innovative efforts to provide clean water to residents,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Emma Pokon. “The wastewater treatment infrastructure funded by EPA and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will be more energy efficient and help the city meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act. ”
“We are honored that the City of Grand View’s project has been recognized by EPA’s WATERS award,” said Idaho DEQ Director Jess Byrne. “This project has been years in the making and will help the city protect human health and sustain economic growth. DEQ has not only invested State Revolving Loan dollars in this project, but also $2,354,352 of American Recue Plan Act funds appropriated by Governor Little.”
EPA’s WATERS award program seeks to recognize a few projects that are “Well-planned, Affordable, include innovative ideas or technology that is Transferable to other communities, provide benefits for water or energy Efficiency, or help make the community more Resilient or Sustainable.” The city was nominated for the award by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality staff.
DEQ’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program provides low-cost loans to help entities build or repair existing wastewater treatment facilities to achieve and maintain compliance with state and federal standards or to provide direct water quality benefits. As money is paid back into the state's revolving loan fund, the fund provides new loans to other recipients for high priority, drinking water infrastructure. Repayments of loan principal and interest earnings are recycled back into the program to finance new projects that allow the funds to "revolve" at the state level over time.
Photo: EPA, Idaho DEQ and City of Grand View staff celebrate the city’s WATERS award on April 28, 2025.
