Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

Can you already taste those mashed Idaho potatoes??? As you prep your Thanksgiving meal, make sure you are preparing for the number of people you are feeding. That way, you buy only what you need, eat what you buy, and avoid throwing away food. Discover more tips on how to prevent food waste: https://lnkd.in/gYWcUrEP Photo: American Falls potato cellar taken by DEQ staffer Ginny Simms

So many beautiful spaces in Idaho and so many reasons to protect where we live and play! We are grateful for Idaho?? #GratitudeSeason #ProtectOurIdahome Photo descriptions and their DEQ photographers: - Flying over the Selway Wilderness, Cierra Stokes - Cauldron Linn, Mary Anne Nelson - Ice climbers in the Snake River Canyon, Daniel P. Smith - Palisades Reservoir, Brianna Lords - Bald Eagle, Todd A. Higens - Silver Mountain, Anna Moody - Anderson Ranch Reservoir, Melissa Scheff - Triumph, Idaho, Keith Thomas - Malad Gorge, Jonathan Perry

This week, DEQ teamed up with the Idaho Rural Water Association and EPA to train water system operators on how to address the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in drinking source water. The cyanobacteria that make up HABs are a natural part of Idaho’s water bodies, but when temperatures rise, their populations can bloom and toxins can be released into the water. Trainees learned about health effects of these cyanotoxins, resources for monitoring cyanotoxins, and developing HAB response plans. Learn more about HABs and active recreational water health advisories at https://lnkd.in/gx6UxP4H

Grateful for Idaho?? DEQ is all about protecting where Idahoans live and play, so leading up to Thanksgiving, we are sharing our photos of how great Idaho is and why we love it! #GratitudeSeason #ProtectOurIdahome Photo descriptions and their DEQ photographers: Bull Moose - Todd A. Higens Blackfoot River - Mary Anne Nelson Memorial Bridge in Lewiston - Lisa Wilke New Meadows - Jonathan Perry Wheat field in American Falls - Ginny Simms Cow pasture in Valley County - Daniel Woodall Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls - Elaine Ganino Lupine - Kimberly Diep McGown Peak in the Sawtooth Mountains - Ginny Simms

Winter has arrived in #Idaho, and it's time to prepare for the cold weather. Our annual #WoodstoveWednesday is just around the corner, and we're excited to share some tips to help keep your family warm and save you money. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about the best burning practices that will keep your home cozy and comfortable. Get started today at https://lnkd.in/gsU4QGr

Need more reasons to be excited for snow? Snow feeds our source water for the coming year! The gradual melting and runoff of snowpack during the spring and summer provide streamflow and replenish groundwater for the warmer, drier months. These water resources are vital for households, agriculture, and commercial, industrial, and municipal needs. Can you name the Idaho water body in the second clip? Bonus points if you can name the beachside park where it was filmed!

DEQ has six regional offices around the state to best serve all Idahoans! Communication and cross training between the regional offices help us meet the unique needs of each area of the state. Drinking water compliance and engineering staff from our Boise and Coeur d'Alene Regional Offices recently convened in North Idaho for two days of mentoring, training, and field trips, sharing common considerations for surface water treatment plants statewide.

The work of water quality testing continues through the fall chill! DEQ Source Water Protection Analyst Nicholas Howell is shown here taking samples in Twin Falls County to track nitrate levels. Building a trend analysis of nitrates in the area helps guide best groundwater management practices and informs private well owners about their drinking water quality.

Local water systems can now apply for the latest round of drinking water and wastewater grant funds offered by DEQ! These funds offer direct benefits to communities statewide, including upgrading aging water systems, improving sewer collection systems, addressing stormwater and sewer infrastructure, and reducing lead in drinking water. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gQ6AYAu

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality finalized three land transfers and a renewable lease agreement for property located within the Bunker Hill Superfund Site, opening up almost 200 acres for local economic development and recreational opportunities following the completion of cleanup work on the properties. One-hundred forty acres will be leased to Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for a bike-in campground along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. With construction planned for 2025, the campground will have 26 bike-in/walk-in sites, a restroom/shower house, tent pads, and power hookups for recharging devices and e-bikes. A 40-acre parcel transfer to Idaho Fish and Game will expand an existing Wildlife Management Area to improve wildlife habitat and extend recreational opportunities. A 9.8-acre parcel was transferred to a local excavating company to expand operations and additional acreage was transferred to the City of Kellogg to designate the Government Gulch Road as a public right of way. The Bunker Hill Superfund Site spans an area known as the Silver Valley where mining and milling operations resulted in heavy metal contamination throughout the area. The reallocation of 200 acres within the site to recreational and economic development is an important milestone in area cleanup efforts that have reduced exposures over the last 30 years. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gNsTtg_E