Protecting Public Health and the Environment.

Green Project Reserve

As a condition to receiving federal funds for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects, federal law requires states to allocate not less than 20% of funds made available under the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grants to projects that address green infrastructure, water conservation, energy efficiency improvements, or other environmentally innovative activities. These four categories of projects are the components of the Green Project Reserve (GPR).

Among the goals of the GPR are to reduce the environmental impact of water and wastewater facilities, minimize water use, and conserve energy, thereby reducing water loss, freeing up funds for public health and environmental enhancement projects, and reducing the strain on the energy grid.

GPR may be used for planning, design, and/or building activities. Projects clearly eligible for GPR are known as categorically eligible projects. Projects not found to be categorically eligible must have a business case providing a well-documented justification for the project to be considered a GPR project. Some examples of drinking water infrastructure projects include installing new water meters in previously unmetered systems, purchasing leak detection equipment, and improving on-site facilities, such as installing green roofs for stormwater runoff control and porous pavements. Some examples of wastewater infrastructure projects include maintaining, restoring, or mimicking natural systems to infiltrate, evapotranspirate, or recycle stormwater and economically managing water resources to prevent or remove pollution.

Idaho GPR Projects

Idaho is in compliance with the GPR mandate. Idaho's drinking water and wastewater facilities have focused on water conservation and energy efficiency projects as a way to meet the GPR goal. This approach is expected to have environmental benefits and decrease the burden on ratepayers.

Idaho projects with GPR components include the following:

FY 2016

FY 2015

FY 2014

FY 2013

FY 2012

FY 2011

In FY 2011, 20% or more of funds allocated for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects met at least one of the four categories of GPR projects.


Staff Contacts

Engineer
Kevin McNeill
DEQ State Office
Water Quality Division
1410 N. Hilton
Boise, ID 83706
(208) 373-0452
kevin.mcneill@deq.idaho.gov

Related Pages

Public Water System Construction Loans

Public Wastewater System Construction Loans