{ "culture": "en-US", "name": "NitratePriorityAreas", "guid": "0A7567A0-7D41-4129-9E2A-194476922F4F", "catalogPath": "", "snippet": "Idaho DEQ 2020 Nitrate Priority Areas. Thirty-five areas in Idaho have been identified as nitrate priority areas (NPAs) with elevated levels of nitrate in ground water, according to a study prepared by IDEQ.", "description": "
Thirty-five areas in Idaho have been identified as nitrate priority areas (NPAs) with elevated levels of nitrate in ground water, according to a study prepared by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).<\/span><\/p> Nitrate is a chemical form of nitrogen found in soil and water. In elevated levels, nitrates can present a risk to human health. NPAs are areas where 25% of the sampled wells contain water with nitrate levels of 5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or greater. The drinking water standard is 10 mg/L.<\/span><\/p> DEQ conducted the study in conjunction with the Idaho Ground Water Monitoring Technical Committee, a panel of scientists from state and federal agencies, and health districts.<\/span><\/p> The 2020 Nitrate Priority Area Delineation and Ranking Process document ranks the 35 areas based on the following three primary criteria:<\/span><\/p> The potential impact of nitrate on other beneficial uses of ground water besides water supply was also considered.<\/span><\/p> The NPA's are located across Idaho, primarily along the Snake River Plain. The top five NPAs are: NE Star, Mountain Home AFB, Minidoka, Fort Hall, and Marsh Creek.<\/span><\/p> The study consisted of compiling data from over 14,000 wells statewide. Of these, over 4,300 are located within the boundaries of the NPAs. Approximately 414,000 people are estimated to live within the NPAs.<\/span><\/p> The document, which contains a complete listing of all 35 NPAs, can be accessed on DEQ's website (download at bottom). Also available online is a summary of comments received on the document during a 60-day public comment period and DEQ responses.<\/span><\/p> The nitrate priority area ranking is used to prioritize the development and implementation of strategies to help reduce nitrate loading from land-use activities. In coordination with other agencies, DEQ assists local ground water quality advisory groups in developing ground water quality management strategies for NPAs.<\/span><\/p> Restriction of Liability: Neither the State of Idaho nor the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, nor any of their employees make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or data provided. Metadata is provided for all data sets, and no data should be used without first reading and understanding its limitations. The data could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. The Department of Environmental Quality may update, modify, or revise the data used at any time, without notice. The distributor shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of this data, based on the description of appropriate/inappropriate uses described in this metadata document. The boundaries of the Nitrate Priority Areas are not considered stationary, are subject to change upon receipt of additional water quality data, and are not intended to be used as regulatory designations. Nitrate Priority Areas are intended for agencies to use for prioritizing and focusing resources to develop and implement ground water quality improvement strategies with local communities, per DEQ Policy Memorandum PM-004.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>",
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