Wastewater Matters #2: What is Class A Reclaimed Water?

What Is “Class A” Reclaimed Water?

Class A reclaimed water is the highest quality of treated wastewater Idaho allows to be reused for irrigation of parks, school grounds, athletic fields, golf courses, landscaped areas, certain commercial or industrial applications, and—under separate permitting—for groundwater recharge.

To achieve Class A, wastewater goes through advanced treatment and disinfection so that it meets strict state standards for clarity and for germs like bacteria, with daily monitoring to make sure those protections are maintained.

How Is It Different from a Lagoon?

Today, many small towns, including Driggs, use lagoon ponds, which mainly rely on time, settling, sunlight, and natural biological processes to clean wastewater.

A mechanical Class A system adds multiple layers of protection, including advanced biological treatment, filtration, disinfection, and continuous monitoring and controls, which makes the cleaned water more consistent and reliable in all seasons and during busy times.

What Can Class A Water Be Used For?

Class A water is non‑potable, meaning it is clean enough for high‑value uses like irrigating areas where people live, work, and play. With the right state permits and site conditions, Class A reclaimed water can be used for:

●     Irrigating parks, school fields, golf courses, and landscaping 

●     Controlled land application on approved sites 

●     Groundwater recharge using specially designed rapid‑infiltration basins 

●     Other non‑drinking uses that Idaho DEQ reviews and approves case‑by‑case 

Why This Matters for Victor Residents

Victor is a growing, semi‑arid community that relies heavily on local groundwater and wants to keep streams and aquifers healthy for the long term. Building a Class A facility helps Victor:

●     Provide more reliable treatment than lagoons during cold snaps, storms, and peak‑tourist seasons 

●     Reduce the risk of future violations, fines, or rushed, expensive upgrades as water‑quality rules tighten 

●     Keep more water in the valley by creating the option to reuse water locally or recharge the aquifer instead of sending it all downstream 

For residents, that translates to a more resilient system that supports homes, businesses, and community amenities while positioning Victor to adapt to Idaho’s prior-appropriation water system. As the state expands groundwater monitoring and curtailment enforcement, communities with junior water rights — like much of the Upper Snake River Plain — face increasing pressure during shortages. By treating water to higher standards and enabling permitted reuse or aquifer recharge, Victor may be able to pursue water-credit mechanisms that help offset future curtailments and preserve greater local flexibility.

Local Control of Our Water

With surface discharge, treated wastewater is released to a creek or river and quickly leaves local control. Class A treatment, paired with reuse or recharge, gives Victor tools to keep more of that water working for local parks, fields, and groundwater, under rules that are designed specifically to protect public health and the environment.

Regulatory Oversight and Safety

Any Class A reuse or recharge project must follow Idaho’s Recycled Water Rules and obtain a DEQ reuse permit that spells out required treatment, monitoring, reporting, and groundwater protections.

This is a regulated and inspected system, similar to how Victor’s drinking-water utility is already overseen. Each year, the City publishes a Water Quality Report detailing testing results and compliance with state and federal standards. These reports are publicly available on the Public Works page of the City website and are intended to give residents clear information about the safety and reliability of their water. Reuse and recharge systems operate under comparable monitoring, reporting, and regulatory requirements.

How Groundwater Recharge Works

If Victor pursues groundwater recharge, treated Class A water would be sent to shallow basins where it slowly soaks through the soil before reaching the aquifer.]

As the water moves through the soil, it gets additional natural “polishing” and filtration, and the city must monitor and report on this process to show that groundwater quality is being protected.

Summary

A lagoon cleans wastewater using basic natural processes and is more vulnerable to weather and growth pressures. A mechanical Class A system cleans wastewater to a much higher, more reliable standard using modern equipment and continuous monitoring, which opens the door to safe reuse in town and the potential to recharge our local aquifer under tightly regulated conditions.

New to the conversation? Start here → Read our first article on why Victor is planning for a new wastewater treatment facility and visit the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant page to review staff reports, technical studies, and additional project information.