The City of Spokane's Water Department provides up to 150 million gallons of safe drinking water daily to over 230,000 residents, making it the third-largest water system in Washington. Our system includes pumps, reservoirs, source wells, and more than 1,000 miles of water mains and pipelines delivering water from wells to homes and businesses. Many pipes, dating back to World War II and earlier, are aging, and we plan to invest millions to replace and upgrade mains and enhance our infrastructure in the coming years. See the citywide capital plan.
All of our water comes from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie (SVRP) Aquifer, designated a sole source aquifer in 1978 by the EPA. This means that there are no reasonable alternative drinking water sources in the area if our aquifer were to become contaminated. Formed by massive Ice Age floods, the aquifer is a layer of permeable rock, sand, and gravel that stores and allows water to flow through it. Covering over 370 square miles, from Idaho's Pend Oreille Lake to just beyond the western edge of Spokane, the SVRP Aquifer ranges in depth from just a few feet in some areas to as much as 500 feet.
We live and work directly above this vital drinking water source, so protecting it is everyone's responsibility. You can help safeguard our aquifer by reducing your use of pesticides and fertilizers, ensuring that household chemicals are properly disposed of at hazardous waste facilities, and fixing any vehicle leaks that could allow harmful substances to seep into the ground. Every small action adds up to keeping our drinking water safe for generations to come.
The City of Spokane has eight well stations located throughout the City to draw drinking water directly from the aquifer. The water from the aquifer is pure enough to be pumped directly from the ground and sent to customers without any treatment. We add chlorine to the water to ensure that purity is maintained throughout the distribution system.
A peek inside our 10 MG Rockwood Vista water storage tank
To move the water to higher elevations, storage tanks and reservoirs, booster stations are located throughout the City. These stations contain large pumps and motors to help move the well water from lower elevations to the tanks at higher elevations within the distribution system. Water at a higher elevation in a tank provides water pressure to the homes below it.
More than 1,000 miles of water mains are located throughout the City. Water reaches your house directly from service lines running off smaller mains. To meet customers' needs; the City has over 100 million gallons of water stored in reservoirs. The amount of water stored in a given tank depends on both the water demand for that area as well as the fire protection requirements
The City develops and maintains a Comprehensive Water System Plan that's designed to help ensure the continued, reliable delivery of safe drinking water at a reasonable cost, facilitate economic growth, and foster coordination with adjacent water purveyors. The Washington State Department of Health reviews these plans, and state law requires the City to update its plan every 6 years. The City uses the document as an ongoing planning tool, with annual reviews of the plan.
Throughout the year, hundreds of water quality tests are performed; water mains, valves and meters are repaired and replaced, and Water Department personnel continually search for leaks and problems to ensure you the highest quality drinking water possible. Expertly trained operators monitor the distribution system from a 24-hour control center.
Everyday, the Water Department is testing and monitoring Spokane’s drinking water to ensure we meet and exceed all state and federal water safety regulations. We take pride in providing clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to our community. View our annual Water Quality Report.
The City of Spokane does not currently add fluoride to its water. To inform future decisions, the City completed a grant funded feasibility study to better understand the costs and implementation steps associated with providing fluoridated water to the community. Learn more.
The City completed a major program to replace all remaining lead service lines in the City's water system in July of 2018. Between May 2016 and July 2018, the City replaced 486 service lines with copper pipe, ensuring greater public health throughout the City's water system. Learn more.
The City operates eight well stations, its sole sources of high-quality drinking water. Explore the detailed study that identifies cost-effective strategies to enhance resiliency at three of these facilities.
The Water Conservation Master Plan outlines goals, targets, and strategies to preserve our water supply for future generations. The plan's conservation activities aim to reduce demand at a reasonable cost while minimizing customer impact, selected for their potential to lower pumping needs. View the 2020 Water Conservation Master Plan.
The City of Spokane has been directed to provide information about the lawsuit entitled Durgan et al. v. City of Spokane. View more information or visit the web site about the lawsuit.
24 Hour Water Information - 509.625.7800
Water Department Administration
914 E North Foothills Dr
Spokane, WA 99207
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday
509.625.7800
waterinfo@spokanecity.org
Take a look at the latest SVRP Aquifer Atlas for a comprehensive summary of the region's most precious groundwater resource.
