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. 

Our water cleanup plan

We facilitate an advisory group that helps us track recommended projects in the water improvement plan. These recommendations reduce nutrients and improve oxygen levels in the river and lake. The Spokane River Forum continues to maintain information related to the implementation of the plan.

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.