Washingtoner - Spokane: City Provides Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality

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Kirstin Davis, Communications Manager, kdavis@spokanecity.org

The City of Spokane today is releasing its required annual report on the quality of drinking water provided by the City's Water Department. For 2024, as in previous years, the City met all state and federal drinking water standards.

City of Spokane has had low-level detections of PFAS chemicals at three well locations that are below the state's action levels and meet the federal standards. One test result at one well location was slightly above the 2024 revised EPA standards, however, the EPA rule measures compliance based on a four-quarter rolling average of test results. The average for that well is just below the limit at four parts per trillion (4 ppt). Test results from all other well sites indicated no detection. Follow-up testing continues at well sites with detections, and ongoing testing happens at all wells.

The City's Water Quality Report for 2024 is available on the City's water quality webpage. Community members may request a mailed copy by calling the Water Department at (509) 625-7800 and providing an address.

"The City's takes its responsibility to deliver safe, clean drinking very seriously," says Marlene Feist, the City's Director of Public Works. "As more contaminants enter the environment, we must be ever-vigilant to provide our community with the quality they expect at a price they can afford."

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Using a more sensitive testing methodology, the City of Spokane detected PFAS/PFOA in its water system for the first time in April 2023. The State of Washington set a State Action Level for PFOS/PFOA that went into effect in early 2022. Meanwhile, in early April 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed its first-ever rule on these chemicals, setting a new standard at four parts per trillion (4 ppt) on a rolling four-quarter average. Initially, water purveyors must meet testing and reporting requirements with plans to achieve the regulatory standard by 2027. The City has implemented updated testing and monitoring procedures for these contaminants.

Addressing PFAS or "forever chemicals"

As part of its commitment to protect the community's drinking water, the City has joined a lawsuit against manufacturers responsible for PFAS/PFOA contamination in drinking water. Additionally, it is supporting the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board with investigation of potential sources of contamination. The Water Department continues to monitor regulatory actions and conduct testing to provide timely and accurate information to our customers. More information can be found on the state Department of Health's PFAS in Drinking Water Dashboard.

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Water Conservation Efforts

In addition to basic water quality information the City provides information on efforts to reduce water use through its Water Wise Spokane program. To reduce water waste during the peak irrigation season in the summer, City Council approved an ordinance requiring residents and businesses to adopt an every other day, "odd/even" watering schedule to help protect water resources, maintain affordable water rates, support landscaping health, and reduce the need for costly water system expansions over time. To assist customers with water-saving efforts, the City has a variety of rebates available for water-efficient equipment upgrades and a turf replacement program called SpokaneScape.

FAST FACTS:

1,000 miles of water mains and distribution lines make up the City's water system
8 well stations deliver water to approximately 80,000 homes and businesses within the current water service area
Up to 150 million gallons of water can be provided to the community every day

Filed Under: Government, City

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