Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

Proud of the DEQ staff who participated in May in Motion 2026! May in Motion is a month-long campaign hosted by Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to encourage participants all over the Treasure Valley to reduce car emissions by finding alternate commutes like biking, busing, carpooling, etc. Fewer cars on the road contributes to our mission of protecting Idaho's air, water, and land, so DEQ is in it to win it every year!🚲🚶‍♂️🚍

ACHD Commuteride

The best time to prepare for wildfire smoke is before the wildfire season begins🔥 Be ready to take these actions to protect yourself and reduce your smoke exposure:

✅ Monitor wildfire activity and air quality in your area at fire.airnow.gov
✅ Use air purifiers, a HEPA filter in your HVAC system, or create a DIY clean air fan
✅ Limit physical activity outdoors when air quality is poor
✅ Talk to your doctor about whether N95 masks are right for you
✅ Identify a “clean air room” to reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke while indoors

How to set up a clean room: https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/create-clean-room-protect-indoor-air-quality-during-wildfire

How to make a clean air fan: https://youtu.be/X9sqvf00otg?si=1mRLrPNatp25asws



Idaho Department of Lands
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

There have already been several wildfires in Idaho this year. Be smoke ready to protect your health this summer:

➡️ Keep tabs on wildfire activity and air quality at fire.airnow.gov
➡️ Check out our daily smoke forecasts at idsmoke.blogspot.com
➡️ Download the AIR Idaho app to check current air quality and see air quality forecasts

Fine particle pollution is a major part of wildfire smoke and a threat to public health. It can travel deep into the lungs and may even enter the bloodstream.

Particle pollution doesn’t just affect outdoor air quality, wildfire smoke particles can enter homes and buildings, potentially impacting indoor air quality.

Keeping track of wildfire activity, current air quality, and smoke forecasts will help you make good decisions for your health during wildfire smoke events 👍

Photo 1: Black Ridge Fire near Richfield, ID, credit BLM Idaho Fire
Photo 2: Dewoff Fire near Burley, ID, credit BLM Idaho Fire
Photo 3: Moore Fire near Kuna, ID, credit BLM Idaho Fire

Idaho Department of Lands
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

This week, staff from our Pocatello Regional Office joined other scientists from Idaho State University, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG), Caribou-Targhee National Forest and several more agencies to judge the honors biology presentations at Pocatello High School's Science Night. Teacher Anne Koski, an organizer of the event, says that interviewing with scientists is always extremely meaningful for her students!

It is an honor to participate in Pocatello High School's Science Night each year and speak with the students and soon-to-be scientists!

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25
U.S. Forest Service - Caribou-Targhee National Forest

DEQ has an open position for a Financial Specialist. Apply by June 3!

➡️Info + application: https://css-idaho-prd.tam.inforgov.com/hcm/Jobs/form/JobPosting%5BJobPostingSet%5D%28LUMA,23038,1%29.JobPostingDisplay?fromlist=JobPosting.JobSearchListSearchFormOnLeft&navigation=JobPosting%5BJobPostingSet%5D%28LUMA,23038,1%29.JobPostingDisplayNav&csk.JobBoard=STATEOFIDAHO&csk.HROrganization=LUMA

DEQ and partners hosted the Minidoka-Cassia Groundwater Awareness earlier this month to inform locals about groundwater quality in the area💧

Attendees also received free nitrate screening and bacteria sample bottles to help them protect their private well water quality.

Idaho Rural Water Association
Idaho Department of Water Resources
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

DEQ's Drinking Water Compliance and Enforcement Supervisor Cassandra Lemmons won the Friend of Rural Water Award this spring!🏅💧

The Idaho Rural Water Association recognized Cassandra with the award for her contributions to the advancement of rural water services in Idaho👏

Congratulations, Cassandra!

Photo: Idaho Rural Water Association board president Robert Dial with Cassandra Lemmons

Idaho Rural Water Association

Water Festival 2026 went ✨swimmingly✨

Our Idaho Falls office has helped organize the annual Water Festival in Idaho Falls every year since 1998! The festival is a massive educational event for local 5th and 6th grade students. More than 1,680 students participated this year with 19 different organizations hosting fun activities to teach kids about protecting our vital water resources💧

Big thanks to Eastern Idaho Environmental Education Association for spearheading this amazing event!

Minidoka-Cassia Groundwater Awareness event in Heyburn!
📅When: May 20, 2026 | 12-6 PM
📍Where: South Central Public Health District (485 22nd St., Heyburn, ID)

Stop by anytime during the event to get:
💧Free nitrate screening for private well owners
💧Educational handouts and presentations
💧Free bacteria sample bottles and nitrate fact sheets

South Central Public Health District
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho Department of Water Resources
Idaho Rural Water Association

REMINDER: A virtual informational meeting on the draft fiscal year 2027 Intended Use Plan (IUP) is scheduled for May 11, 2026, at 1 p.m. Mountain Time. Register here: https://www.deq.idaho.gov/event/fiscal-year-2027-intended-use-plan-informational-webinar/

DEQ is seeking comment on that the draft fiscal year 2027 State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan (IUP). The IUP guides how DEQ prioritizes and awards funding for water infrastructure investments. Once approved and finalized by the Idaho Board of Environmental Quality, it will govern the state’s funding decisions for state fiscal year 2027. Learn more and submit a public comment at https://www.deq.idaho.gov/deq-announces-public-comment-period-on-draft-fiscal-year-2027-state-revolving-fund-intended-use-plan/

A virtual informational meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2026, at 1 p.m. Mountain Time. Register here: https://www.deq.idaho.gov/event/fiscal-year-2027-intended-use-plan-informational-webinar/