BOISE — Many rural Boiseans made clear on Tuesday they oppose discharging highly treated wastewater effluent into the city’s canals. The opposition previewed a battle over wastewater recycling that’s likely to come as the city explores ways to combat climate change through water conservation efforts.

The Water Renewal Utility Plan, developed by Boise Public Works’ Water Renewal Services department, lays out projects the city could pursue to replace its aging wastewater infrastructure; it also proposes initiatives related to wastewater recycling, a process by which highly treated wastewater is reused for other purposes, such as irrigation. Any project outlined in the utility plan would need to be approved by the Boise City Council after a public hearing process.