Wastewater Facility Funding Survey

Published: October, 26 2026

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

The City of Driggs launched a community survey on October 26th to hear from ratepayers as the City plans an upgrade and expansion to its wastewater treatment facility and reviews rate and connection fee options. Residents and business owners 18 and older whose home or business is connected to the Driggs sewer system can take the survey online. The survey is expected to stay open for about six weeks, or until the City hears from a representative sample of sewer customers. Eligible respondents are encouraged to take it early. It will take respondents 8-10 minutes to complete so please share it with your neighbors. The City appreciates your time and input!

The Driggs wastewater treatment plant has served the valley since the late 1960s and today treats wastewater from Driggs, Victor and some development outside city limits in Teton County. The City maintains about 37 miles of sewer pipe, 16 lift stations and roughly 100 manholes. Treated water flows through an unnamed tributary of Woods Creek to the Teton River.

The Driggs facility has exceeded the ammonia limits in its federal discharge permit for years, and the City has taken that seriously, exhausting efforts to improve performance of the existing design and come into compliance. Furthermore, the existing facility was designed to accommodate growth until 2030, and based on current growth projections, will be at capacity by 2031. A 2025 agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice requires an upgrade to the Driggs system to bring the plant into full compliance. The required upgrade will be coupled with an expansion designed to accommodate the next 20-years of growth.

The upgrade will reuse existing basins and equipment where possible and add a membrane bioreactor system, which filters water to a much higher standard. The plant is designed to serve the community through 2049. The City’s current engineering estimate, inclusive of project inflation, is $35 million, with anticipated funding that includes a $25 million low-interest loan through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality toward the overall project cost. Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with full operation targeted for late 2030.

Sewer rates are, in part, how the City will pay for this investment, which is why Driggs wants to hear from the people who pay them. The survey asks about priorities on city growth, sewer rates, affordability, water quality standards, and how people would like to receive project updates and engage in the City’s decision-making. Responses will help guide the City Council as it weighs options for a rate structure to fund the new facility.

“This is one of the largest investments our city will make in a generation, and it protects something everyone in this valley cares about— which is clean water in the Teton River,” said Mayor August Christensen. “The people who pay sewer bills in Driggs should have a real say in how we pay for it.”

City of Driggs staff will be at locations around Driggs to answer questions and encourage ratepayers to take the survey throughout the duration that it is open.

—     Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 4 to 6 PM | Colter Building, 18 N Main St

—     Saturday, Nov. 7 | 9 to 11 AM | Wydaho Roasters Coffee House

—     Thursday, Nov. 12 | 4 to 6 PM | Broulim’s Supermarket

—     Saturday, Nov. 21 | 9 to 11 AM | Wydaho Roasters Coffee House

—     Tuesday, Nov. 24 | 3 to 5 PM | Broulim’s Supermarket

—     Friday, Dec. 4 | 5 to 7 PM | Colter Building, 18 N Main St

Project updates, engineering reports and documents related to the facility are posted on the City's website at https://driggsidaho.org/departments/public-works/wwtp