Spokane – Washington – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Spokane’s Water Department operates one of the largest groundwater systems in the United States, established in 1908, serving approximately 220,000 residents within the city limits and surrounding areas. The system includes over 1,000 miles of water mains, seven well stations with 13 wells, and 25 booster stations delivering an average of 180 million gallons of water daily during peak summer months.
Spokane draws its drinking water exclusively from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, a sole-source aquifer that flows beneath portions of northern Idaho and eastern Washington. This remarkable natural resource provides exceptionally pure water that requires minimal treatment before distribution. The aquifer is recharged primarily by the Spokane River, local precipitation, and lake drainage, creating a sustainable water cycle. Spokane’s water is known for its excellent taste and quality, though the city faces challenges with aging infrastructure in older neighborhoods. The city has implemented aggressive capital improvement programs for water main replacement and aquifer protection initiatives to maintain this valuable resource for future generations.
Spokane Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 5.2 parts per billion (ppb), well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, reflecting the generally excellent quality of Spokane’s aquifer water.
- Testing Scope: Spokane conducts over 50,000 water quality tests annually throughout the system, including routine monitoring at residential sites, with enhanced sampling in neighborhoods with older infrastructure.
- Compliance Status: Spokane’s water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Washington Department of Health regulations.
Pristine Aquifer Source
- Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer: Sole source (100% of supply) ranked among the most productive and pristine aquifers in the country, with water traveling through glacial deposits providing natural filtration.
- Rapid Recharge: The aquifer completely recharges every 5-7 years through natural processes, contributing to exceptional water quality with minimal contamination.
- Aquifer Protection: Comprehensive protection program including development restrictions, pollution prevention initiatives, and groundwater monitoring networks across over 370 square miles.
Treatment and Distribution
- Minimal Treatment Required: Due to the natural filtration of the aquifer, Spokane’s water only requires disinfection with chlorine prior to distribution, avoiding the need for extensive treatment processes.
- Chlorine Disinfection: Low doses of chlorine (typically 0.2-0.8 mg/L) provide protection against potential bacterial contamination while maintaining minimal taste impact.
- Corrosion Control: Naturally balanced pH and mineral content help prevent pipe corrosion, with additional sodium hydroxide adjustment in select areas to optimize protection.
Infrastructure Improvements
- Pipeline Renewal: Annual replacement of approximately 5-7 miles of aging water mains, prioritizing areas with highest leakage rates and neighborhoods built before 1950.
- Modernization Program: Ongoing initiative to identify and replace the estimated 2,000 remaining lead service lines and brass fixtures containing lead throughout the system.
- Efficiency Investments: Advanced metering and pressure management systems to reduce water loss and energy consumption while improving system reliability.
Community Water Initiatives
Spokane provides extensive support for residents including complimentary water quality testing, conservation incentives, and assistance programs for low-income households. The city’s proactive approach includes regular community education programs about aquifer protection and water conservation. The SpokaneScape program offers rebates for converting high-water-use landscapes to water-efficient designs using native plants. Spokane’s commitment to environmental stewardship is demonstrated through collaborative watershed protection efforts with neighboring municipalities, tribes, and conservation groups to safeguard the aquifer. This integrated approach to water management ensures reliable delivery of high-quality water while preparing for future challenges including climate change impacts and population growth.
Recommendations for Spokane Residents
Request Water Testing
Contact Spokane Water Department at (509) 625-7800 or visit spokanecity.org/waterquality to request a free water quality test, particularly for homes built before 1986 or with known lead plumbing components.
Explore Pipe Replacement
Apply for the Lead Service Line Replacement Program if your home was built before 1950. Qualified homeowners may receive financial assistance. Call (509) 625-7844 or visit spokanecity.org/leadfree to check eligibility.
Consider Filtration
While Spokane’s water is generally excellent, homes with lead components may benefit from NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for drinking and cooking water. The city offers filter rebates for qualifying households.
Practice Conservation
Despite the abundance of the aquifer, conservation is essential. Participate in the SpokaneScape program to replace turf with water-wise landscaping, install WaterSense fixtures, and follow summer watering guidelines to preserve this valuable resource.
Report Concerns
Contact the Water Quality Hotline at (509) 625-7999 for any water quality concerns or the 24-hour emergency line at (509) 625-7800 for water main breaks or other urgent issues. Use the SpokaneWater app to easily report problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spokane’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Spokane’s tap water is exceptionally safe and of high quality. The water comes from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, which is renowned for its purity and requires minimal treatment before distribution.
The most recent testing shows lead levels at 5.2 ppb (90th percentile), well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The city’s water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state standards. However, homes built before 1986 may have lead-containing plumbing components that could potentially affect water quality. The city offers free water testing and various programs to address these concerns in older neighborhoods.
Why is Spokane’s water so good?
Spokane’s exceptional water quality stems from several key factors:
1. The Aquifer: The Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer is one of the most productive and pristine aquifers in the United States, flowing at an average rate of 600 million gallons per day.
2. Natural Filtration: Water travels through glacial deposits consisting of sand, gravel, and boulders that act as a natural filtration system, removing impurities.
3. Rapid Flow: The aquifer’s water moves quickly (25-50 feet per day in some areas), minimizing contamination opportunities.
4. Comprehensive Protection: Stringent aquifer protection efforts since the 1980s have preserved water quality through development restrictions and pollution prevention.
5. Minimal Treatment: The natural purity means only chlorine disinfection is required, maintaining the water’s natural mineral balance and taste.
How is the Spokane Aquifer protected?
The Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer is protected through a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional approach:
• Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) program: Restricts high-risk land uses in sensitive areas
• Wellhead Protection Zones: Stricter regulations near municipal wells
• Aquifer Protection Areas: Special districts with dedicated funding for protection measures
• Monitoring Network: Over 170 monitoring wells track water quality trends
• Interstate Cooperation: Washington-Idaho partnership for consistent protection across state boundaries
• Pollution Prevention: Business inspections, household hazardous waste collection, and stormwater management
• Public Education: Community outreach programs and school curriculum about aquifer stewardship
Are there water restrictions in Spokane?
Spokane has managed water demand through a combination of voluntary and seasonal restrictions:
Year-Round Conservation Measures:
• Voluntary conservation encouraged through rebate programs
• Tiered water rates that increase with higher usage
• SpokaneScape program offering rebates for water-efficient landscaping
Summer Watering Schedule (June-September):
• Even-numbered addresses: Water on even-numbered days
• Odd-numbered addresses: Water on odd-numbered days
• No watering between 10 AM and 6 PM to reduce evaporation
Drought Response:
During severe drought conditions, the city may implement additional mandatory restrictions. Check current status at spokanecity.org/water or by calling (509) 625-7800.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Older homes (pre-1986) may have lead service lines or fixtures; Spokane has approximately 2,000 remaining lead service lines identified in its system
Health Effects: Developmental delays in children, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, kidney problems, cardiovascular effects in adults
Current Levels: 90th percentile value of 5.2 ppb, well below EPA action level of 15 ppb EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, but no level of lead is considered safe
Nitrates
Source: Agricultural runoff, lawn fertilizers, and septic systems in areas near the aquifer can contribute to nitrate levels
Health Effects: Elevated nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia (“blue baby syndrome”) in infants and potential reproductive effects with long-term exposure
Current Status: Consistently below EPA limits; regularly monitored due to the aquifer’s vulnerability in certain areas; current levels average 1.2 mg/L, well below the 10 mg/L limit
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