{ "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>