Spokane River DO TMDL Released
February 12, 2010
Washington Department of Ecology News Release
The Spokane River and Lake Spokane are a major step closer to being cleaner, healthier and a better place for fish to thrive and people to enjoy. Today the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has submitted a plan, 12 years in the making, to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final approval.
The Spokane River/Lake Spokane Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality Improvement Plan, often referred to as the total maximum daily load (TMDL) report, will guide work toward bringing the Spokane River into compliance with water quality standards for dissolved oxygen.
The river and lake contain too much phosphorus and other substances that act like fertilizers, causing algae and other aquatic plants to grow and thrive. When the plants decompose, they use up dissolved oxygen that fish need to breathe.
In addition, unsightly algae blooms can become toxic and cause nuisance smells or human skin irritations. They can make Lake Spokane unhealthy for swimming, and compromise its ecological balance.
Under the federal Clean Water Act, when a body of water fails to meet water quality standards for certain pollutants, Ecology must study the problem and produce a plan to improve water quality.
“This document will lead to noticeable improvements in the aesthetics and productivity of the Spokane River and Lake Spokane while contributing to investments in Spokane’s economy,” said Water Quality Program Manager Kelly Susewind. “We are eager to move from planning into doing and start measuring success in the watershed.”
The Spokane River/Lake Spokane Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality Improvement Plan will lead to reducing phosphorus pollution from industrial and municipal pipes by more than 90 percent. Due to the sensitivity of the Spokane River system, the phosphorous limits for industrial and municipal discharges are among the most stringent in the country.
Unique to this improvement plan, the industrial and municipal “point-source” (from a pipe) dischargers will have the ability to use other tools , in addition to installing state-of-the-art treatment, to reduce phosphorus to the river, such as eliminating septic systems, treating their stormwater, and using non-phosphorus fertilizers.
In addition, the plan gives Avista Corp., operator of Long Lake Dam, a portion of the responsibility to improve dissolved oxygen levels in Lake Spokane.
The improvement plan includes a long-term monitoring program for the river and lake so that improvements can be measured. It also includes strong incentives for investing in water conservation efforts that also will help protect water quality.
Spokane Mayor Mary Verner said, “The Spokane River, as it rolls through the heart of our city, is clearly one of our greatest natural assets. Ensuring the long-term health of the river and adjacent Lake Spokane requires commitment and considerable expense. The city of Spokane is prepared to work with our partners on this goal, enhancing the enjoyment for our citizens and allowing for business and industry growth within our city and region.”
Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke said, “Spokane County has been committed to this process since day one. We recognize the success that this plan accomplishes. It incorporates conservation, it incorporates reuse. And it incorporates efforts in both point and non-point sources of contamination. We know we’re pushing the envelope with regard to technology—that’s a good thing. We should be stretching it, doing the absolute best we can.”
Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant said, “We appreciate that this is a hardship for some of the dischargers. I’d like to thank and congratulate the community leaders and business people who hung in there while we created this roadmap for the future. I know it has been many years of difficult policy and scientific debate to get us to this point.”
EPA will have 30 days to review the final plan and notify Ecology of its decision, but it may request an extension.
Electronic copies of the Spokane River/Lake Spokane Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality Improvement Plan can be downloaded at the following website: www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0710073.html
To read more about the plan, see the Frequently Asked Questions at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0810028.pdf
For the Spokane River TMDL website: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/spokaneriver/dissolved_oxygen/