News Items
Special Thanks
Wastewater Management would like to thank Mike Simmons for creating a mascot for our Stormwater Management Program, Storm Drain Dan. The idea behind Storm Drain Dan was to try and create a symbol that was easy to understand and incorporate the message about stormwater. Storm Drain Dan is a stormwater pipe with a round grate for a hat. Mike did an outstanding job and we appreciate all his hard work. Thanks Mike.
Mike Cmos Memorial
The Wastewater Management Department had a memorial work of art constructed near the Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility in memory of Mike Cmos, who was killed in a tragic accident at the City's Water Reclamation Facility in May of 2004. The memorial entitled "Fish On" features Mike Cmos sitting with his daughter, Jennifer, on rocks along a stream with a fishing pole in hand. The sculpture was created by Sister Paula Turnbull and dedicated at a ceremony held on September 27th, 2006 at the Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility.
Combined Sewer Overflows - CSOs
In 2008 Wastewater Management coordinated with the City's Cable 5 to create a video about CSOs. Do you know what CSOs are? Do you know the purpose of CSOs? If you answered no, than click on the link below. Enjoy!!
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO)
06/17/02
Summer is in full swing. Water sports and other out-of-doors activities associated with water take on a greater meaning.
What do these activities have in common? Water.
Water is a basic requirement for both fun activities and work. Unfortunately when water is used for cleaning it becomes contaminated with dirt, detergents and cleaners used to liberate debris that accumulated during winter months. Contaminated water needs to be disposed properly in a sanitary sewer. While dirt and debris can be efficiently removed at a treatment facility or on site sewage system, some detergents and cleaners contain Phosphorus. Phosphorus can be removed at treatment plants but it takes special processes and many less sophisticated onsite systems do not remove Phosphorus.
Did you know the Spokane region has a Phosphorus ban in place?
New cleaning technologies and substitutes that cleaned as well as Phosphorus allowed Washington State and communities along the Spokane River to implement Phosphorus bans in 1990. These bans restricted the amount of Phosphorus in laundry detergents to 0.5%. You can help by reading the label on detergents you purchase and using products that comply with the requirements of the Phosphorus ban. To learn more about phosphorus view this video clip from Channel 5 News. Phosphorus ban video
What is the City of Spokane doing to help control Phosphorus loading?
The City of Spokane uses Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) to reduce the amount of Phosphorus its treatment plant discharges to the river during the potential algae growing season in Long Lake (Lake Spokane). Phosphorus removal at the plant is initiated based on the amount of snow in the mountains that drain water into the Spokane River, the larger the snow pack the later Phosphorus removal begins. About 90% of Phosphorus entering the plant is removed in the plant to prevent it from entering the river and growing algae in the lake. The City of Spokane also works in cooperation with other entities discharging to the Spokane River to control the total amount of Phosphorus entering the lake.
Tim Pelton
SAWTP Superintendent
| 02/06/02 | Response to Spokesman-Review article "Old sewer systems fouling waterways". |