IWRRI Community Water Resource Center
The Community Water Resource Center, located at University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene, provides education and access to information about lakes and rivers in the Coeur d’Alene Basin. Established in 2012, the CWRC leads K-12 and adult educational programs and serves as a forum for water resource experts to collaborate.
The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) is Idaho's designated research institute established by the American Water Resources Research Act of 1964. The state-wide research initiative moved to the Coeur d'Alene center in April 2023. IWRRI's Coeur d'Alene staff maintains the Community Water Resource Center.
Community Resources
Aquifer Protection District: The purpose of the Aquifer Protection District is the protection of groundwater quality by creating fee based funding for the following endeavors:
- Assist regulatory bodies with enforcement of existing regulations, monitor and inspect potential sources of pollution,
- Implement educational programs for the entire community that enhances protection of the ground water, and
- Coordinate the work of public agencies to assist in the prevention of degradation of our valuable ground water and to avoid the extensive cost of remedial action.
Coeur d'Alene Tribe Lake Management: The Tribe’s Lake Management Department has the mission of protecting and enhancing Coeur d’Alene Lake and its surrounding watershed. Their goal is to increase the lake’s cultural, spiritual, subsistence and recreational benefits to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and neighboring communities. Their charter covers both on-Reservation and ceded portions of Coeur d’Alene Lake.
Coeur d'Alene Wastewater Treatment Plant: While secondary-level municipal treatment was mandated by the Clean Water Act of 1972, it was operational in Coeur d’Alene in 1939; making it one of the first such municipal plants in the world. The city has always utilized conventional primary clarification and fixed-film “trickling filters” as the secondary treatment process followed by chlorination. Beginning in 1982, the plant has undergone 11 major “phases” of construction, culminating with solids handing and administration buildings.
IDAH2O Master Water Stewards: University of Idaho Extension is offering a program to train citizen volunteers about regional water quality issues. Trained volunteers, called Master Water Stewards, are provided stream monitoring kits and technical support.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality: DEQ's Water Quality Division is responsible for assuring that the state's surface, ground, and drinking water resources meet state water quality standards. DEQ staff monitor lakes, rivers and streams throughout the North Idaho region to identify opportunities to protect water quality, fisheries values, and recreation on the water. Citizen’s Watershed Advisory Groups are incorporated to provide input on projects to protect and improve water quality.
Panhandle Health District: The Panhandle Health District’s Environmental Health Section implements many programs designed to protect surface water and groundwater, particularly where those resources are essential to public health. With an emphasis on prevention, PHD’s programs include Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Protection (proper storage and handling of chemicals, limiting on-site sewage disposal to one house per five acres, zero discharge of non-domestic wastewater, education and outreach), permitting on-site sewage disposal systems, oversight of small public water systems, review and approval of new subdivisions, and registration of Shallow Injection Wells.
Restoration Partnership: The Restoration Partnership was developed by the Coeur d’Alene Basin Natural Resource Trustees as a way to involve the public in natural resource restoration. Our primary mission is to "return our natural resources to a healthy condition by developing and implementing a restoration plan for the Coeur d’Alene Basin." We engage the public by providing ways to help shape the plan, propose specific restoration projects, and partner with us on future restoration related project work.