Clean water requirements for the Spokane River include strict limitations on pollutants like phosphorus and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These limits make permitting wastewater treatment facilities complicated, especially for PCBs because they are widespread, persistent, and found in many products.
Permits for five wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into the Spokane River have been administratively extended and need to be reviewed and reissued to include the new clean water requirements. In November 2016, PCB water quality standards for the Spokane River changed from 170 parts per quadrillion to seven parts per quadrillion.
We're currently working with the river community to evaluate the tools available to reissue the permits and identify the path forward for a clean Spokane River.
The strategy for issuing new permits to meet requirements for PCBs include:
Developing agreements with each facility that outlines milestones and benchmarks for reducing PCBs.
Investigating treatment technology and cost information associated with meeting water quality standards.
Continuing to identify and reduce sources of PCBs through the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force.
Using a step-by-step approach over time to achieve the highest attainable condition in the river until ultimately meeting water quality standards.
Latest Meetings
Workshop on PCB Variances for Spokane River - Nov. 14, 2019
We held a workshop on Nov. 14, 2019, about the next steps in the variance process. We covered a general overview, updates on the rulemaking process, and the current status of applications.