Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

This week we hosted the annual Idaho Water Quality Workshop, where attendees sharpen their knowledge about surface water and groundwater quality methods, results, and policies! Over the two days of the workshop, subject-matter experts covered topics like wetland hydrology, microplastics in river basins, phosphorus loading, erosion control and much more. Big thanks to the water quality professionals in attendance who work so hard to protect Idahoans' health, property, and economic/recreational opportunities, and THANK YOU to our workshop sponsors: EPA Idaho Water Resources Research Institute University of Idaho Idaho Power Boise State University

Idaho is leading in demonstrating how to protect water systems from cybersecurity threats through the implementation of Idaho National Laboratory's Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) approach. Since 2023, our department has factored CIE into its considerations of drinking and wastewater systems. This year, we have expanded CIE into scoring grant applications from communities seeking funds to help replace or update their water systems. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g5ZAcNJU

Did you know that a single pre-1988 wood stove can produce as much fine particle emissions as 8 old school buses? #WoodstoveWednesday is here to keep you informed and safe! Look into upgrading your woodstove and consider using alternative heat methods as we head into spring. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/drkhTRE3

HAPPY #IDAHO DAY! We love Idaho, and we are passionate about protecting our state's air, land, and water for all who call this beautiful place home. #IdahoDay is celebrated on March 4th, the anniversary of the day President Abraham Lincoln created the Idaho Territory in 1863.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking representatives to fill vacancies on the Bear Lake Watershed Advisory Group (WAG). The Bear Lake WAG is a group of citizens from a diverse set of interests dedicated to successful restoration and protection of the health of the watershed. This watershed covers Caribou and Bear Lake counties, from which the WAG seeks to have diverse representation. The WAG is currently seeking representatives from the following areas: ·   Livestock  ·   Agriculture  ·   Logging, timber, small business, industry, or hydropower  ·   Tribal representation  ·   Mining  ·   Water-based recreation or environmental interests  ·   Municipalities, land planning, or local government  ·   Environmental interests The group meets quarterly, but sometimes more frequently, to advise DEQ on the following matters:  ·   Advise Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) authors at DEQ on matters of concern to the community.  ·   Contribute to the education of watershed residents on water quality issues.  ·   Help identify contributing pollution sources in the watershed.  ·   Advise on pollution reduction allocations among contributors.   ·   Recommend specific actions needed to effectively control sources of pollution.  ·   Help develop and implement water quality improvement projects. Anyone interested in serving on the Bear Lake WAG as a representative of the above interest groups should contact Jessica Anderson at (208) 236-6160 or jessica.anderson@deq.idaho.gov on April 1, 2025, by 5 p.m. 

NEVER pour fats, oil, or grease down the drain and ONLY flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet to protect wastewater systems! Here's why: In 2017, a stomach-churning discovery was made in a sewer in London's Whitechapel area—the largest ever recorded fatberg, an 820-foot-long, 143-ton mass of oil and wet wipes. A fatberg is mainly made up of cooking fat, wet wipes, and other sanitary products. When these are flushed down toilets or drains, they can congeal together, making a solid mass that can cause blockages in sewers, septic systems, and piping in homes. To remove the Whitechapel fatberg, workers used shovels and high-powered water jets to clear the blockage and then sucked it up to the surface with a hose. Most of the material was destroyed, but some was turned into biodiesel. Several small samples were preserved for display at the London Museum, where they remain to this day.

An informative webinar for folks involved in water system management! Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) is a strategic initiative championed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to integrate cybersecurity into engineering practices for critical infrastructure. This webinar and other resources from INL are aimed at ensuring that infrastructure is designed with inherent defenses against cyber threats, enhancing the resilience of energy systems against potential attacks. https://lnkd.in/g4iGSf_2

#WoodstoveWednesday reminder- there are four ways to reduce wood smoke when burning in your home! 🔥 Use a well-maintained and properly cleaned woodstove, heat pump, or EPA-certified wood pellet stove 🔥 Burn dry, seasoned wood for a hotter fire and less smoke 🔥 Test your wood with a moisture meter, (less than 20% moisture burns best) 🔥 Provide sufficient air to the fire; never let it smolder Learn more about best burning practices at https://lnkd.in/gsU4QGr

Sara Anzalone, a water quality analyst with our Lewiston office, is a speaker today on a career panel hosted by the Wildlife Society - University of Idaho Student Chapter!

Work with us! DEQ has added three new job opportunities: Senior Hazardous Waste Permit Writer, Boise Water Quality Engineer, Idaho Falls Smoke Management Supervisor, Boise Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gMJR8-dn #boisejob #boisejobs #idahojobs #idahojob #job #jobs #jobopportunity #career