Environmental Finance Center, EPA Region 10, Boise State UniversityBlaine County, Idaho Location Blaine County is an area of 2,645 square miles located in south central Idaho. Blaine County’s population (2000 census) is aproximatly 18,991, an increase of 40% between 1990 and 2000. Water Supply The drinking water systems in Blaine County share a common groundwater resource, which is characterized by a shallow aquifer with high travel velocity, meaning the aquifer is considered highly vulnerable to contamination. Although Blaine County does not have a public water system, there are several systems within the county including 21 community public and non-transient, non-community water supply systems and 28 smaller transient water systems. In addition, many residences in Blaine County are served by private wells. Source Water Assessment The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) has prepared source water assessments (SWAs) for the majority of both the community and non-community water supply systems. Of the 49 water supply systems in the county, IDEQ has completed 45 assessments. IDEQ intends to complete SWAs for the remaining systems by 2005. Once these SWAs are complete, they will be incorporated into Blaine County’s Drinking Water Protection Plan. Local Team The Blaine County Drinking Water Protection Coalition was initiated from local interests with the support of Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA), IDEQ and the Environmental Finance Center (EFC). At present, the coalition consists of public water suppliers within Blaine County, Blaine County Commissioner Sarah Michael, Idaho Rural Water Association, consultants and well drillers, various non-governmental organizations and environmental interests, educators, state agency representatives (IDEQ, Idaho Department of Agriculture, Idaho Department of Water Resources) South Central Health District, farmers, ranchers and citizens. The County, with the assistance of the Coalition, has developed a draft drinking water protection plan. Final approval of the plan is expected fall of 2004. Priority Contamination Threats In Blaine County’s rural setting, agricultural operations, septic systems, underground storage tanks, storm water run-off and surface spills are the leading threats to groundwater quality. Protection Measures Blaine County’s Source Water Protection Plan recommends management measures and education and outreach activities for the community to implement to reduce the risk of contamination. Since 2001, Blaine County has appropriated $32,000 for source water protection activities within the county. This has provided funding for implementation of monitoring and education efforts prior to the plan being adopted. New Mexico EFC 2445 Alamo SE Suite 300 Albuquerque, NM 87106 The New Mexico Environmental Finance Center is a program of the Institute of Engineering Research and Applications at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. 
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Environmental Finance Advisory Board EPA Environmental Finance Program EPA Region 6 Drinking Water Program  |
