New plan would reduce pollution in Spokane River
Published 9:46 am Wednesday, September 16, 2009
SPOKANE — The Ecology Department has announced a plan to reduce phosphorus pollution in the Spokane River, cutting algae blooms and improving water quality for fish in Long Lake.
The plan announced Tuesday still needs state and federal approval. It aims to cut phosphorus levels by 90 percent within a decade and would cost about $500 million.
The Spokesman-Review reports it calls for upgrades at sewage treatment plants and industries that discharge into the river, better control of farm and stormwater runoff and some changes in how Avista operates its Spokane River dams.
Post Falls City Manager Eric Keck says it wants to clean up its discharges but says the proposed goal is arbitrary and unreachable with current technology.
Information from: The Spokesman-Review, www.spokesman.com
