Is pressurized irrigation water safe to drink?
No. The City of Boise says pressure irrigation is completely separate from the drinking water system, and NMID says the water is for irrigation use only.
In short
Many newer valley subdivisions have a second water line that carries untreated canal or river water to lawns and gardens. It is not drinking water, and it is run and billed by an irrigation district, or by the City of Boise in 14 named Boise subdivisions, not by your water utility. Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District says its systems turn on around April 15 and shut down around the first week of October, depending on the water supply.
- What it is
- A second water line for lawns and gardens, separate from drinking water
- Who has it
- Newer subdivisions; Nampa, Meridian and Boise require it in new ones
- Season
- Usually about April 15 to the first week of October (NMID)
- Who bills
- Your irrigation district, or the City of Boise in 14 named subdivisions
- Dig safely
- Call (208) 466-0663 at least 2 working days before you dig (NMID)
What should I know about the system?
~Apr 15When NMID's pressurized systems usually turn on
More
Depends on the water supply · Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District: Pressurized urban irrigation system~Early OctWhen NMID's pressurized systems usually shut down
More
First week of October, depending on supply · Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District: Pressurized urban irrigation system40 to 60 psiWater pressure NMID delivers within design limits
More
About the pressure of a city water system · Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District: Pressurized urban irrigation systemWhat should I do when I buy or rent a home?
- 1
Ask whether the home has pressurized irrigation
NMID tells buyers of a new home to ask about the availability of irrigation water. If you rent, your landlord or can tell you which source the yard uses and who runs it.
- 2
Find your irrigation district
Type your street address into the City of Boise's irrigation district map. Your address shows on a colored background; match that color to the legend to see your canal company or irrigation district.
- 3
Learn who bills you
The City of Boise runs and bills 14 named subdivisions: Azure #1, #2 and #3, Darien, Bradford, Graystone #1 and #2, Steamboat, Linshire, Whidby, Chaucer, Eronel, Palm Court and Ashbrook. Everywhere else, your irrigation district is the place to ask. If your land has water rights in another district, you may get a tax notice from both.
- 4
Learn your watering schedule
In most of the City of Boise's irrigation subdivisions, addresses ending in an even digit water on even-numbered days and odd-ending addresses on odd-numbered days. Bradford and Graystone use zone schedules. Outside those areas, follow your district's rules.
- 5
Call before you dig
NMID asks you to call (208) 466-0663 at least 2 working days before you dig, and says that if you do not call you are responsible for all damages.
- 6
Look after your own sprinklers
NMID maintains its system up to the delivery valve at your lot but not the sprinklers in your lawn and garden. The water is for irrigation use only.
Who do I call about irrigation?
Pick your city to hide the other rows.
Your city
Phone(208) 853-5288
| Who | Phone |
|---|---|
| City of Boise Public Works (City-billed subdivisions) | (208) 608-7150 |
| Boise Project Board of Control | (208) 344-1141 |
| Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District | (208) 466-7861 |
| Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District: leaks, pressure and line locations | (208) 466-0663 |
| Settlers Irrigation District | (208) 344-2471 |
| New York Irrigation District | (208) 378-1023 |
| Boise/Kuna Irrigation | (208) 922-5608 |
| Boise City Canal Company, South Boise Mutual Irrigation District and South Boise Water Company | (208) 447-8600 |
| Boise Valley Irrigation Ditch Company | (208) 853-5288 |
The City of Boise lists these numbers on its pressure irrigation page. Use the district map to see which one serves your address. The Nampa & Meridian leak and line-location number is from the district's own page. Source: City of Boise: Pressure irrigation
Pressurized irrigation: common questions
Why is there a separate bill or assessment?
The line is run by an irrigation district or, in 14 Boise subdivisions, by the City of Boise, not by your water utility. NMID says it handles the assessments and collections for the systems it runs.
When does it turn on and off?
NMID says its pressurized systems generally turn on around April 15 and shut down around the first week of October, depending on water availability. Other districts set their own dates, so check yours.
What if my home has no pressurized line?
Then the yard uses city water or a well. NMID expects irrigating from a pressurized system to cost less each year than relying entirely on more expensive domestic water.
Who fixes a leak or low pressure?
For NMID systems, call (208) 466-0663 about pressure, leaks and buried main line locations. NMID repairs the main system; you are responsible for your own lawn and garden sprinklers.
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