Spokane River multi-parameter TMDL

Why is clean water important?

Because of the presence of PCBs in fish, the Washington Department of Health issued a Health Advisory for eating Spokane River fish.  Find out more information about how we're improving spokane watershed. 

Water cleanup plans

We completed a dissolved oxygen water improvement plan (2007). The Enviornmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a PCB water improvement plan (2024). We will be working with the Spokane River Toxics Advisory Committee to develop a PCB implementation plan. We are continuing to work with the community to implement actions described in the plans to clean up the water.  

What are we doing? 

• Conservation and environmental groups work directly with landowners to reduce runoff from forestry and agriculture practices. Spokane County's Nonpoint Source Phosphorus Reduction Plan recommends many of these actions.
• Avista completed a Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality Attainment Plan that outlines activities that will help improve oxygen in Lake Spokane.
• Spokane adopted an Integrated Clean Water Plan that helps prioritize projects for managing stormwater and wastewater.
• Cities and industries that release wastewater into the river submit annual monitoring reports on the river's water quality.
• The five wastewater facilities will upgrade treatment technology and meet strict phosphorus limitations outlined in the water quality improvement plan by 2021.