Together, these devices can cut indoor water use by one-third. What Idaho Can Do Even an unlimited water supply is of little use unless it is of adequate quality. Major players in preserving and enhancing Idaho's water quality include the mining, timber and other industries, agriculture and urban centers. Logging practices have a major effect on water quality. The major threats from logging are erosion and stream sedimentation caused by improper road building and by transporting trees from the forest to the road.
Sedimentation can degrade habitat for fish and interfere with river navigation.
To avoid erosion and sedimentation, timber harvests should be carefully planned to consider slope, soil stability and distance from streams and lakes. Water quality is also affected by grazing in riparian areas. Livestock prefer the lush vegetation near water, and overgrazing may result in trampled vegetation, broken down stream banks and increased stream sediment, water temperature and bacteria from livestock defecation in and around the stream. A few management strategies include reducing the number of livestock in riparian areas, fencing off areas for rehabilitation and allowing riparian grazing only during seasons least sensitive to damage. Mining and industrial activities can degrade water quality by polluting waterways with heavy metals and toxic chemicals.