In October 2024, Farmers Union Ditch Board Members signed a contract with Eagle Sewer District to discharged treated municipal sewage water into the Farmers Union canal system.
The agreement remains in place unless public pressure causes it to be reconsidered.
Upcoming Events
APRIL
Eagle Sewer District Speaks at Eagle City Council
5:30 PM at Eagle City Hall
660 E Civic Ln, Eagle, ID 83616
Eagle Sewer District General Manager Neil Jenkins will speak at the Eagle City Council meeting, presenting information about the wastewater contract with Farmers Union.
All City Council meetings are open to the public: https://www.cityofeagle.org/312/City-Council
Eagle Sewer District says we asked for recycled wastewater on our properties: lawns, schools, parks.
Let’s tell them what we really think.
When we asked Eagle Sewer District why they are investing millions of dollars into a wastewater treatment facility to recycle the sewage water in the Eagle community, they said it was because Eagle Sewer patrons asked to keep the wastewater local in a 2023 survey.
When we asked to see the data from that 2023 survey, Eagle Sewer responded: “The survey data was not maintained.”
They said this will save us money.
In Eagle Sewer District’s financial forecast, the eventual cost savings per month doesn’t arrive until 2031 and is as little as $5 per month. Below is a slide from Eagle Sewer District, presented at the December 8, 2025, Eagle Sewer Board Meeting.
Let Eagle Sewer District know that we do not want wastewater in our irrigation or ground water.
Join the Conversation
Visit these Facebook pages for discussions and updates on the wastewater issue.
Key Documents
Signed Treated Wastewater Contract
Idaho Dept. of Environmental Quality Recycled Water Reuse Permit Application
Protect Our Historic Irrigation Rights
Farmers Union Ditch Company owns water shares in the following local reservoirs / rivers:
Arrowrock - 2,779 Acre-Feet
Anderson Ranch - 5,593 Acre-Feet
Lucky Peak 10,000 Acre-Feet
This affects more than just Farmers Union Shareholders.
Multiple irrigation companies receive their water deliveries through the Farmers Union canal.This will distribute wastewater containing persistent contaminants—such as PFAS and pharmaceutical residues—directly onto lawns, home gardens, school playgrounds, sports facilities, and into groundwater aquifers. Affected irrigation:
Farmers Union Ditch Company
Capital View Irrigation Inc
Lexington Hills Inc
Boise Valley Irrigation
Frequently Asked Questions
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Farmers Union Irrigation and Eagle Sewer District began talks for this contract back in spring, 2023. We filed a freedom of information request to get a copy of that communication. View the letter here.
The contract was signed in October, 2024. No public notice was given until January, 2025.
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Class A sewage discharge does not remove all chemicals and pollutants, it is filtered and treated to reduce bacteria. It still contains:
PFAS “forever chemicals”
Pharmaceuticals
Hormones
Detergents and cleaning compounds
Pesticides
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When we asked why this deal was done behind closed doors, the Farmer’s Union Board told us: “Because we can.”
We find this response deeply inadequate and dismissive. As shareholders, we expect—and deserve—leadership that prioritizes transparency, actively represents the interests and concerns of all members, and engages openly with those it serves.
