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SPRINKLER BLOW OUT and WATER QUALITY Before you blow out your sprinkler system this fall, remember that we are all relying on you to help keep our drinking water clean. Once water enters your irrigation system it can become contaminated with lawn chemicals and bacteria. If your sprinkler system doesn’t have adequate backflow protection, blowing out the system may push this contaminated water back into your home’s water supply. All systems that contain pumps or injectors for lawn chemicals are considered a high risk and should be equipped with a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA). If your system does not have pumps or injectors it is considered a moderate risk and requires a double check valve assembly (DCVA) or a pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVBA). However if you plan to use an air compressor to blow out your irrigation system, a PVBA will not provide adequate protection. For more information, a list of certified backflow assembly testers, or to learn if your system has backflow protection contact your water provider orvisit these websites: Spokane Regional Cross Connection Control Chapter of The American Backflow Prevention Association: www.src4.org Washington State Department of Health Office of Drinking Water: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/ Spokane Aquifer Joint Board: www.spokaneaquifer.org
Click here for a printable .pdf
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DISTRICT RECEIVES OUTSTANDING TREATMENT PLANT PERFORMANCE AWARD
The Washington Department of Ecology recognized 56 of the state's 321 wastewater treatment plants for perfect performances in 2006 to keep Washington's waters clean. Representatives from Ecology presented the "Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant" award to the District Commissioners and plant operators at the Commissioners meeting on June 14, 2007. The awards honor operators of treatment plants that had no spills into Washington's waters during 2006. Award winners also passed every environmental test and analyzed all samples according to requirements laid out by Ecology. Click to read Ecology's News Release
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LIBERTY LAKE WATERSHED PLEDGE
What is the Watershed Pledge? For the past decade, water quality and quantity issues have progressed in the Spokane area. During this time, residents have heard and read news stories on how phosphorus is a major water quality concern for local lakes, rivers and streams. Other popular news is how the Washington Department of Ecology has prepared a water quality cleanup plan (called a Total Maximum Daily Load or TMDL) to address the Spokane River’s dissolved oxygen problem. The TMDL would establish implementation measures to achieve significant reductions in phosphorus loading to the river. Low oxygen levels in the river are unhealthy for fish and other organisms that live in the river and also cause unpleasing algae blooms in Lake Spokane. The Spokane River is one of the most prominent features in Spokane. Protecting the river is of great economic importance to the people of Spokane and the surrounding area as its recreational and aesthetic values encourage tourism and create a very desirable place to live. Below the river lies the Spokane Valley – Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, the sole source of drinking water for nearly 500,000 people in the region. Recent news has circulated on the development of a Rathdrum-Spokane Aquifer study, a study investigating the characteristics of the aquifer. A concerted effort was undertaken by Washington, Idaho and the United States Geological Survey to determine quantity, quality, and recharge capability of the aquifer. Refining the knowledge of the Rathdrum-Spokane Aquifer through a collaborative study will create a common understanding of the system, which is essential to managing this valuable resource as our soul source of drinking water. Sources of pollution to our waterbodies include point sources. However, these point sources are not the only problem. A significant amount of pollution, including phosphorus, to our water bodies are also caused by small "nonpoint" sources from households, businesses, and community organizations. Nonpoint source pollution is the Nation's leading source of water quality degradation, not just in our local watersheds. Educating and raising the awareness about how individuals can participate in protecting their local waterbodies will become a key component. To address this, Washington State Department of Ecology and the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District collaborated with community stakeholders on an education and awareness campaign that targets individual residents in the Spokane River, Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, and Liberty Lake watersheds. A recent survey of residents in Spokane area indicated that participants nearly universally agreed that we owe it to future generations to protect rivers and streams. This educational campaign is called the "Watershed Pledge", it is designed to engage residents in changing their behaviors to reflect good water stewardship. This project, modeled after the Whatcom Watershed Pledge, will provided citizens with information about how they can protect and improve rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater. The pledge takes residents through a checklist of practices that can be adopted in the home to prevent pollution and allows them to take pride that they are doing their part to protect the river, aquifer, and lake. This is a new and innovative project for the Spokane region even though it has been implemented in other parts of the state. Since this type of project has not been attempted before in this area, a pilot project was initiated at Liberty Lake. The Watershed Citizen Advisory Committee was instrumental in the development of a pilot project campaign that would use their community as an indication for the viability of a pledge project in Spokane County.
For more information and how to get involved contact: Brook Beeler, Washington Department of Ecology, (509) 329-3478 or BiJay Adams, Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District, (509) 922-5443 ext. 30
We thank you for your participation!
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EHB 2322 LIMITING THE PHOSPHORUS CONTENT IN DISHWASHING DETERGENT http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2322&year=2005 AN ACT Relating to limiting the phosphorus content in dishwashing detergent. The Legislature of the State of Washington hereby finds and declares that: (1) Phosphorus loading of surface waters can stimulate the growth of weeds and algae, and that such growth can have adverse environmental, health, and aesthetic effects; (2) Household detergents contribute to phosphorus loading, and that a limit on detergents containing phosphorus can significantly reduce the discharge of phosphorus into the state's surface and ground waters; (3) Household detergents containing no or very low phosphorus are readily available and that over thirty percent of the United States population lives in areas with a ban on detergents containing phosphorus; (4) Phosphorus limits on household detergents can significantly reduce treatment costs at those sewage treatment facilities that remove phosphorus from the waste stream; and (5) While significant reductions of phosphorus from laundry detergent have been accomplished, similar progress in reducing phosphorus contributions from dishwashing detergents has not been achieved. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to impose a statewide limit on the phosphorus content of household detergents. (1) After July 1, 1994, a person may not sell or distribute for sale a laundry detergent that contains 0.5 percent or more phosphorus by weight.
(2)(a) After July 1, 1994, and until the dates specified in (b) of this
subsection, a person may not sell or distribute for sale a dishwashing detergent
that contains 8.7 percent or more phosphorous by weight. (i) Commencing July 1, 2008, in counties with populations, as determined by office of financial management population estimates:
(A) Greater
than one hundred eighty thousand and less than two hundred twenty thousand;
and (ii) Commencing July 1, 2010, throughout the state. (3) This section does not apply to the sale or distribution of detergents for commercial and industrial uses.
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PHOSPHORUS LAWN FERTILIZER NO USE POLICY The Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District has recognized the need to protect the lake, surface and groundwater and has adopted policies, guidelines and recommendations for that purpose. In an effort to reduce pollutants that contribute to algae blooms and water quality deterioration, the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District is discouraging the use of lawn fertilizers that contain the element Phosphorus within the watershed of Liberty Lake. Phosphorus is one of the key elements necessary for growth of plants and animals, however phosphorus can cause environmental impacts if an excess of phosphate enters the waterway. This condition is known as eutrophication or over-fertilization of receiving waters. The rapid growth of aquatic vegetation can cause the death and decay of vegetation and aquatic life because of the decrease in dissolved oxygen levels. Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer No Use Policy Resolution # 46-05
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PHOSPHORUS FREE DISHWASHER DETERGENT It is known that phosphorus is the leading cause of nutrient loading to rivers, lakes and streams. It is also known that research Nationally has shown that phosphorus in dishwasher detergent is a major source of phosphorus to wastewater treatment plants. The LLSWD is in the process of upgrading their wastewater treatment plant to further remove phosphorus from its effluent in order to protect the Spokane River. Thus, on July 20, 2005, the LLSWD passed a resolution requesting that all of its customers discontinue the use of dishwasher detergents containing Phosphorus to protect the Spokane River and reduce the phosphorus into the treatment plant. A copy of the resolution is available at the LLSWD Administration building or at the link listed below:
Phosphorus Free Dishwasher Detergent Resolution 23-05
Here is a list of commercial PHOSPHATE-FREE dishwasher detergents, some available in many grocery stores:
An at home phosphate-free automatic dishwasher detergent recipe: (http://www.crwp.net/Issues/phosphorus.htm):
For best results, rinse dishes — especially mugs and cups — with cold water before stacking in the dishwasher.
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DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENT OPTION The District has implemented a "Direct Debit Payment Option". After we receive an authorization form and a copy of a canceled check, we can debit the amount due from your account automatically on the bill due date. If you are interested in signing up for this service, call Kathy at 922-5443 x25. Click here to obtain form (print-form only). Please fill out and return to the District.
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WATERSHED PLANNING In 1999, a planning unit made up of local agencies and various interest groups was formed to plan for future water use in the Middle Spokane and Little Spokane River watersheds. Since the project began, the planning unit and consulting scientists have completed a Data Assessment Report, Instream Flow Analysis, and evaluation of water use trends. The draft of the Middle Spokane and Little Spokane Watershed Plan (WRIA 55&57), which includes recommendations, is now available for review and comment. Visit http://www.spokanecounty.org/wqmp/projects/ASP/WatershedPlan.asp for more information.
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DISTRICT NO FEEDING POLICY adopted the 17th day of March, 2004 In an effort to protect the public’s health, reduce pollutants that contribute to algae blooms, and control waterborne parasites (such as swimmers itch), the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District is requesting no feeding of waterfowl, including gulls, within the district boundaries. According to the No Feeding Policy, the recommendation is made that no person shall feed, cause to be fed or provide food for migratory waterfowl, non-migratory waterfowl, resident Canada geese, gulls, or domestic waterfowl on any land within the boundaries of the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District. The No Feeding Policy will help accomplish the following: 1) Reduce the concentration of large populations of waterfowl in certain areas of the district, including the lake, parks, residential yards, and golf courses. 2) Reduce the concentrated defecation in areas of congregating waterfowl. 3) Reduce the number of birds suffering from physical complications related to nutritional deficiencies because of supplemental feeding from humans. Furthermore, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife do not encourage feeding of waterfowl and wildlife for these purposes To promote understanding of and compliance with this policy, signs will be posted throughout the district to provide information on no feeding recommendations. The District shall post signs at the District’s expense in accordance with the No Feeding Policy. The district shall determine, upon inspection and survey, the proper placement of these signs. For more information, please contact BiJay Adams at 922-5443 ext. 30 or visit our page on Waterfowl.
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LIBERTY LAKE MILFOIL MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT
The Liberty Lake Sewer and Water
District has received grant funding for the Liberty Lake Milfoil Management
Implementation Project from Washington Department of Ecology’s Aquatic Weed
Management Fund for the fiscal year of 2004. Up to $75,000 is being offered to
the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District to cover 75 percent of the eligible
project costs for the Liberty Lake Milfoil Management Implementation Project for
the next 5 years.
The project to be funded is implementation of an Aquatic Weed Management Plan
that was drafted in October 2003. In
October of 2002, the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District was awarded a $15,000
grant by the Washington State Department of Ecology to develop this Aquatic Weed
Management Plan for Visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/grants/fy2004.html for the Washington State Department of Ecology Aquatic Weeds Management Fund List of Applicants and Projects Proposed for Funding – Fiscal Year 2004.
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