Water Supply

Experts discuss about the systems, investments and planning that make up wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and future needs to serve Idaho's rapidly growing populace.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources surpassed its annual target for replenishing the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer.

Southern Idaho saw a normal to above normal water year. It’s a different story, though, in North Idaho. The region saw one of its lowest snowpacks on record and is in a moderate to severe drought.

Idaho water law does not require obtaining a water right for drilling one of these wells and allows the well to pump up to 13,000 gallons each day for a half-acre of land.

More than 100 years ago, a professor in the Mountain West invented a tool and technique to measure the amount of water in a snowpack — a discovery that still lives on to this day.

Despite some cold snaps, this winter season has been unusually warm for Idaho. The National Weather Service reports this year’s El Niño weather pattern might signal an upcoming drought.

New research shows that in much of the world, water supplies for drinking, bathing and farming are being threatened. That includes sections of the Mountain West.

Tribal communities have historically had a hard time getting clean drinking water and that can affect the health of their babies. Some public health studies have tried to change the narrative.

As parts of our region face the worst drought in centuries, some states are looking for new ways to create fresh water. One idea that’s gaining interest in the Mountain West is desalination, which involves removing minerals from salty water.

Sharing the pain of scarcity goes against Western water law – but this Nevada farm community is trying it anyway.