Dishwasher Detergent Phosphate Ban:
Beginning July 1, 2008: In Spokane County it will be illegal to sell
dishwashing detergent containing 0.5% phosphorus or more by weight.
More Information;
|
Groundwater Monitoring |
Watershed Planning |
Phosphorus Non Point Source Assessment |
Water Conservation |
Public Outreach & Education |
Mission
The mission of the Water Resources Program is to participate in studies and
planning
efforts
for the protection and use of surface and ground water
resources in Spokane
County; and to serve as informed advisors on these issues to Spokane Board
of Commissioners, and Spokane County Public Works, Utilities Division.
The Water Resources Program serves the County by protecting quality and quantity of Spokane County surface and groundwater resources, for multiple uses, for now and into the future.
Background
The Water Resources Program (formerly the Water Quality Management Program) was created in 1979 to implement the Water Quality Management Plan for the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.
This aquifer was designated as a "sole source" Aquifer in accordance with
1976 amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The primary criteria
for
designating a sole source Aquifer is that it be the only economically
feasible source of drinking water to the local community. These are given
special protection, and often have special monitoring programs. The SV-RP
aquifer, which flows from the south end of Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho ,
through the Rathdrum Prairie and Spokane Valley before discharging into the
Little Spokane River, provides water for nearly 400,000 people in Spokane
County.
Since April, 2004, the Water Resources Program works to coordinate aquifer protection with Growth Management, Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) programs; and participate in Watershed Planning.