Idaho Code § 39-3624

The legislature, recognizing that water is one of the state’s most valuable natural resources, has adopted water quality and public drinking water standards and authorized the director of the department of environmental quality to implement these standards. In order to provide and maintain maximum water quality in the state for domestic, industrial, agricultural (irrigation and stockwatering), mining, manufacturing, electric power generation, municipal, fish culture, artificial ground water recharge, transportation and recreational purposes and to provide safe drinking water to the public at the earliest possible date, and to conform to the expressed intent of congress to abate pollution of ground waters, streams and lakes and to provide safe drinking water to the public, the legislature declares the purpose of this chapter is to enhance and preserve the quality and value of the water resources of the state of Idaho and to assist in the prevention, control, abatement and monitoring of water pollution. In consequence of the benefits resulting to the public health, welfare and economy it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Idaho to protect this natural resource and to provide safe drinking water to the public by assisting in monitoring, preventing and controlling water pollution; to support and aid technical and planning research leading to the prevention and control of water pollution; to provide financial and technical assistance to municipalities and other agencies in the abatement and prevention of water pollution; and to provide financial and technical assistance to community water systems and nonprofit noncommunity water systems. The director of the department of environmental quality shall administer this chapter and nothing herein shall be construed as impairing or in any manner affecting the statutory authority or jurisdiction of municipalities in providing domestic water, sewage collection and treatment.