Boise, ID Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Design approval
- IDEQ under IDAPA 58.01.17
- Piping inspection
- Idaho State Plumbing Code
- Reclaimed main proximity trigger
- Within 200 ft of project
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine / 180 days
Summary
Boise requires any reclaimed or reuse water system to be designed, permitted, and inspected under state rules, with municipally reclaimed water mandatory for irrigation near mains.
601.1.2 Reclaimed Water. The design of any reclaimed water and/or reuse system must be permitted and approved by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) in accordance with IDAPA 58.01.17, "Recycled Water Rules." All planning, design, and operation of any reuse facilities shall be under the authority of IDEQ. All piping associated with the collection and distribution of these systems shall be inspected by the Authority Having Jurisdiction in accordance with the Idaho State Plumbing Code. Where non-potable water is used for a water application, signage shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 16, Part 2, of the Idaho State Plumbing Code. (Ord. 9-23, 3-7-2023)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-31: Code current through: Ord. 20-26, passed 6-9-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the city's Green Construction Code amendments, anyone installing a reclaimed water or reuse system in Boise must get it permitted and approved by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality under the state's Recycled Water Rules, and all collection/distribution piping must pass inspection under the Idaho State Plumbing Code. Separately, where 80%-irrigation compliance is chosen, landscape irrigation beyond athletic fields and similar exempt areas must run on alternate on-site water or municipally reclaimed water, and if a reclaimed water main sits within 200 feet of the project, that reclaimed supply must be used instead of potable water during landscape establishment.
Violations & Fines
Violating Title 9 building code provisions, including these reclaimed water requirements, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and/or 180 days in jail; the building official may instead charge a $300 infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just install a greywater or reclaimed water system myself in Boise?
When must I use reclaimed water instead of potable water for landscaping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
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