BOISE — Four community water systems received more than $12 million combined in Idaho Department of Environmental Quality grants and low-interest loans.

The three grants, for construction projects, total nearly $11.1 million combined, according to a release from the department. They tap American Rescue Plan Act money that Gov. Brad Little directed to the department and the legislature approved in 2022. Grants provide up to half of the cost of a project.

“Water is our most valuable resource, and we absolutely must keep up the infrastructure to ensure water is clean and plentiful for this generation and future ones,” Gov. Brad Little said in the release. The investments also can impact locally determined property taxes by helping to “relieve the burden on local government to cover costs of projects, improving the chances property owners won’t be burdened with the costs.”

Separately, the department issued a $1 million construction loan from the department’s State Revolving Loan Fund, sourced in part by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants.

Because the recipient association’s drinking water service for residential customers costs more than 1.5% of median household income, the association qualifies for favorable loan terms — a 30-year repayment period, 1.5% simple interest rate and $500,000 in principal forgiveness, according to a release from the department.

Grants

• Central Shoshone County Water District, nearly $8,540 to replace the transmission main line.

• City of Harrison, more than $570,000 to investigate and develop the Stonegate Well, detect leaks, make reservoir repairs and replace meters.

• Country Haven Utilities Association Inc., in Bingham County, nearly $1,985,000 to improve the lagoon cell, build a lift station, replace gravity sewer lines, replace three manholes and add two manholes.

Loan

• Yellow Pine Water Users Association, in Valley County, $1 million for first-phase construction of drinking water infrastructure, including intake modifications and a new water treatment facility.