DEQ seeks comment on proposed water reuse permit renewal for Idahoan Foods, LLC

Accepting comments from February 5, 2025, through March 7, 2025.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks comment on a proposed water reuse permit renewal for Idahoan Food, LLC.

Idahoan Foods operates a potato dehydrating facility in Lewisville, Idaho. The company generates an average of 236 million gallons of recycled water annually and is currently permitted to land apply to 499.6 acres.

Idahoan Foods submitted a permit renewal application, which would add 122.8 acres to the currently permitted management units for a total acreage of 622.4 acre. The additional acreage is projected to reduce total nitrogen loading per acre by 20%. If issued, the draft permit would require the company to stop flood irrigation practices within two years of permit issuance on all management units were recycled water is currently land applied by flood irrigation to address secondary ground water constituent issues.

The permit would authorize reuse operations for ten years and establish monitoring requirements, limits on nutrient and hydraulic loading, and conditions established by DEQ to protect public health and the environment.

Written comments will be accepted through March 7, 2025 at 5 p.m. MDT. The draft permit modification and staff analysis are available for public review at DEQ’s state office (1410 N. Hilton St. 83706), DEQ’s Idaho Falls Regional Office (900 N. Skyline Drive, Suite B), and on DEQ’s website. Submit comments electronically using the form below or by mail or email to:

Todd Higgins
1410 North Hilton Street
Boise, ID 83703
todd.higgins@deq.idaho.gov

Related Documents

Permit and supporting documents

Accessibility Services: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.