We’re working with our partners to protect the water quality in the Spokane watershed, clean up toxic chemicals, and manage and conserve water for local communities and the natural environment.
The Spokane River and its tributaries generally flows westward from its source at the outlet of Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho.The river drains an area of about 6,640 square miles; approximately one-third is in Washington, with the remainder of the watershed is in Idaho. Our collaborative efforts help us identify ways to improve the rivers and lake health so that people can continue to use the watershed for recreation, fish habitat, hydropower, and wastewater management.
To stay informed on public comment periods and hearings, sign up for our Spokane River email list.
Why is the Spokane River watershed important?
The approximately 111 river miles of the Spokane River are home to many species of fish and other aquatic animals. The Spokane River watershed is a complex system that flows through the populated Spokane metropolian area, including Lake Spokane and many tributaries, such as Hangman Creek and the Little Spokane River. The majority of residents in these communities rely on the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie aquifer for drinking water. This federally designated ‘sole source aquifer’ has a dynamic relationship with the Spokane River with large interchanges between the aquifer and the river.
The watershed is facing many issues that can damage habitat, reduce water quality, and water quantity such as: stormwater runoff, loss of wetland habitat, streambank erosion, and historic use of toxic chemicals. See the Reducing Pollution section below for more specific information for pollution in specific waterbodies and our many projects. Because of the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish, the Washington Department of Health issued a Health Advisory for eating Spokane River fish.
Working to meet water quality standards with permits
We are proposing changes to our water quality permits to ensure the five Washington wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into the Spokane River continue to meet clean water requirements. The proposed clean water requirements include strict limitations (numeric limits) on pollutants like phosphorus and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). We are also proposing best management practices (BMPs) for reducing PCBs in a comprehensive and practical way.
Draft permit documents
Kaiser Alumium
City of Spokane
You can find all permit related documents in our permitting database.
We want your input
The Kaiser Aluminum and City of Spokane Facility draft permits are available for public comment from Dec. 29, 2021 – Feb. 11, 2022.
You may submit comments:
| Kaiser Aluminum |
City of Spokane Facility |
| Online via the eComment form (preferred method) |
Online via the eComment form (preferred method) |
By mail: Pat Hallinan
Dept. of Ecology – Water Quality Program
4601 N. Monroe Street
Spokane, WA 99205 |
By mail: Diana Washington
Dept. of Ecology – Water Quality Program
4601 N. Monroe Street
Spokane, WA 99205 |
Public workshops and hearings
We are planning two identical workshops, offered via webinar, to explain the proposed changes to the permits and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearing. The hearings provide an opportunity for individuals to give formal oral testimony. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments. The public hearings will begin immediately following each workshop and will conclude when testimony is complete.
Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Join the webinar workshop/hearing
Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
Join the webinar workshop/hearing
The workshops and hearings offered via webinar allow individuals to view the presentation and provide testimony via computer, phone, or mobile device. Ecology will not be offering in-person hearings due to safety concerns from COVID-19.
Next steps
After reviewing the feedback we receive, we will make decisions on permit reissuance for each facility. We plan to complete this work by spring 2022.
To stay informed on public comment periods and hearings, sign up for our Spokane River email list.
Why are we updating the permits now?
We need permits that accurately reflect the facilities that are in operation to ensure compliance with all state standards.
We want to start the process of updating the permits because of the complexity of each permit; we plan to issue the draft permits individually or in groups of two. Staggering the release of the draft permits for comment will provide time for meaningful public review and discussion with tribes and stakeholders on each permit.
Who releases wastewater into Spokane River?
Five facilities currently release wastewater into the Spokane River:
Previous work
We started the rulemaking process to consider variances in 2019, as a first step to reissuing permits. However, we could not move into the formal rule proposal phase of this process because the federal government's action to withdraw previously-approved water quality standards for certain human health criteria, including PCBs. While EPA re-examines the water quality standards, we have prioritized the completion of these permits, which need to be updated to meet current water quality standards.
Reducing pollution from other sources
Water quality permits are only one of the tools we are using to improve the Spokane River water so people can continue to fish and recreate. We continue to work with partners to improve oxygen levels and reduce toxic chemicals, such as PCBs and metals.