June 23, 2022
Contact: MaryAnna Peavey, Grants and Loans Bureau Chief, MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a $5,320,000 low-interest drinking water construction loan to Laclede Water District in Bonner County.
The funding will be used for a new duplex intake pump system, including backup power and radio telemetry system; new ultrafiltration membrane water treatment plant; new duplex treated water transfer pumps; new 200,000-gallon reservoir, including radio telemetry system; new duplex booster pumps, backup power, and a visual pump failure alarm system installed in the booster station; and approximately 7,400 LF of new 4-inch PVC transmission mains to and from the booster station.
DEQ is authorized by state law to make loans to assist in the construction of public drinking water or wastewater systems. Since the annual cost of drinking water service for residential customers exceeds 1.5% of the median household income, Laclede Water District is able to qualify for a disadvantaged loan which carries very favorable repayment terms.
The loan from DEQ’s State Revolving Loan Fund, which is capitalized annually by grants from the Environmental Protection Agency, carries a simple 1.5% interest rate, is payable over 30 years, and has $721,321 in principal forgiveness. The favorable loan terms represent $2,983,357 in savings to the community when compared to average costs for municipal general obligation debt issuances.