Boise Public Works outlines multi‑year push to rebuild water renewal system, pivot to recycled water

Boise City public works staff told the Public Works Commission on Aug. 20 that the city is stepping up planning and program management to deliver a large portfolio of water renewal projects — including major work at Lander Street and West Boise and an initial design for a new recycled‑water facility.

At a meeting presentation, Steve Burgos, public works director, said the city is preparing to link project delivery with rate and CIP discussions in coming months and to bring community engagement work — including a proposed Community Climate Action Group — into future commission briefings. "We're proposing that our next session, we would like to cover, the Community Climate Action Group," Burgos said, describing the mayor's request to broaden public participation in climate action efforts.

Haley Faulkner, deputy director of water renewal services, summarized the scale of the utility: five sites, about 1,000 miles of pipelines, 29 pump/lift stations, more than 200 staff and an approximate replacement value staff currently estimate at $3,000,000,000. "It is a substantial investment and a substantial set of infrastructure on behalf of the community that we manage," Faulkner said. She noted that the city is updating its utility plan to remain adaptive to condition, capacity and regulatory drivers.

Lisonbee "Ali" Hornack, utility planning manager for water renewal, described the drivers that are…