Potential Sources of Spokane Drinking Water Contamination

A Natural Health and Wellness Essay.

Communication across political, religious and geographic boundaries are of key importance in maintaining clean drinking water. Often water is crossing boundaries. We can’t say keep this water clean but it is okay to pollute that water over there. It is all the same water. In the case of provides all the drinking water. This aquifer flows across the state border between Washington and Idaho.

As Leonardo da Vinci said, ‘Water is the driving force of all nature.’

When was the last time you drank a glass of tap water, swam in a lake, or watered your garden? Standing and feeling the power of the water crashing over the Spokane River Falls can make it seem like there is an unlimited supply of water. Is there enough clean water now? Will there be enough at the end of the summer? What about in ten years? Each of us needs the water and must care for this community resource.

If you are in good shape, healthy and not stressed by hot or cold weather, the average person can live three to five days without water. If as in Spokane you are out on a sizzling 90 degree July day or a frigid 20 degree day in December you need more water.

So what is the quality of Spokane’s water?

In 2012, Doug Greenlund, Environmental Analyst for the City of Spokane reported, ‘The City of Spokane’s water is of very high quality and meets Washington state and federal EPA drinking water quality standards.’

When considering the issues of sustainability, here in Spokane we need to be sure nothing is going into the water that will pollute our drinking water. The Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Wellhead Protection Policy Coordinating Committee recommends monitoring the following places in order to ensure our water is contaminant free.

Animal Feedlots
Bio-Research Facilities
Chemical/Agricultural Chemical Warehousing
Composite (“fiberglass”) Products Manufacturing
Dry Cleaning (performed on location)
Electronics Manufacturing
Electroplating/Metal Finishing
Engine & Vehicle Repair/Service/Salvage
Furniture Stripping
Junk Yards
Metal Fabrication
Mining/Sand & Gravel Extraction
Storage of Critical Materials
Transfer of Critical Materials
Oil & Gas Drilling
Paint Manufacturing and Wholesale Storage

Do you own, work for or live near any of these kinds of facilities? What impact are you having on our drinking water?

Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com on June 2, 2014.