Spirit Lake applies for permit

The city of Spirit Lake has applied for a state permit to expand its wastewater irrigation system.

Spirit Lake irrigates 66 acres of alfalfa fields with treated wastewater from its sewage treatment plant, which lies about a mile north of the city and west of Highway 41.

A draft permit from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality would allow the city to continue irrigating the fields and add 11 acres of forest land. As part of the permitting process, the city is required to show how it would manage odors and prevent contamination of ground and surface water.

Public comments will be accepted through April 24. The draft permit and staff analysis are available for review at www.deq.idaho.gov/public/comment.cfm.

Comments should be sent to John Tindall at john.tindall@deq.idaho.gov. For more information, call (208) 769-1404.