Idaho Section of the American Water Resources Association, (IDAWRA)
Community, Conversation, Connections
Dixie Drain Phosphorus Removal Facility Site Visit

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

9 AM – 11AM  at the site. Approximately 45 minute presentation and 1 hour tour.
Speakers: Kate Harris, City of Boise Environmental Coordinator
                  Steven Beberness, Operator
                  Jason Yeaman, Operator

Bring closed toe shoes. We recommend bringing insect repellent, sunblock, and water.
 
We invite you to car pool from 2 locations: Albertson's at State Street and 16th St in Boise or Chevron Station near NW corner of Eagle Road and I-84 in Meridian.  
​Sign up to car pool

Driving directions (Site is about 45 minutes northwest of Boise):

• If traveling west on I-184 W/US-30 W,
• Take the US-20/US-26 exit, EXIT 26, toward Notus/Parma
• Turn LEFT on US-20/26, follow 5.8 miles to Notus
• Turn LEFT onto Notus Road, drive 0.5 miles
• Turn RIGHT onto Boise River Road, drive approx. 4.9 miles to property
• If you drive past the Sportsmen’s Access – the property is on your left (but you have gone too far) and if you eventually hit US-95, you have gone way too far!!

 
The Dixie Drain Phosphorus Removal Facility is a precedent-setting and innovative project that is greatly enhancing water quality of the Boise and Snake Rivers by removing up to 140 pounds of phosphorus per day from water flowing downstream.  The new phosphorus removal facility was built at Dixie Drain (near the confluence of the Boise and Snake rivers) with goals including:

• Environmental Return on Investment

For the same cost as upgrading facilities at the existing treatment plants, the Dixie Drain project removes much more phosphorus from the Boise and Snake Rivers.  Essentially, for every pound that is not removed at a treatment facility in Boise, a pound and a half is removed downstream at Dixie Drain.

• Phosphorous Otherwise Untouched

Dixie Drain captures ground and surface water flows coming from agriculture operations. These discharges are unregulated and are estimated to contribute up to 40% of the total phosphorus flowing from the Boise and Snake rivers. If it were not for the Dixie Drain project, this significant phosphorus discharge would otherwise remain untouched.

• Common Sense Location

• Approximately 80% of the water treated at Boise’s treatment plants is diverted downstream for irrigation. With the Dixie Drain project, the phosphorus is removed at a location where there are no further diversions for irrigation and additional loading of phosphorus.
   Phosphorous Otherwise Untouched

Dixie Drain captures ground and surface water flows coming from agriculture operations. These discharges are unregulated and are estimated to contribute up to 40% of the total phosphorus flowing from the Boise and Snake rivers. If it were not for the Dixie Drain project, this significant phosphorus discharge would otherwise remain untouched.

• Common Sense Location

Approximately 80% of the water treated at Boise’s treatment plants is diverted downstream for irrigation. With the Dixie Drain project, the phosphorus is removed at a location where there are no further diversions for irrigation and additional loading of phosphorus.