Washington House votes to limit phosphorus
By Doug Nadvornick
Spokane Public Radio
The bill, which is pushed by Spokane area legislators, is seen as an easy way to reduce the phosphorus pollution in the Spokane River.Current state law allows dishwasher detergents to contain up to eight-point-seven percent phosphorus. The bill approved Tuesday would reduce the allowable limit to a half-percent.
Local officials say phosphorus promotes the growth of algae in the Spokane River, especially in the slackwater areas behind the Nine Mile Falls Dam. Spokane Representative Timm Ormsby says reducing phosphorus in dishwasher detergents is a one piece of the local plan to improve the quality of the river water.
“The effect of limiting, in this small way, the phosphorus content in dishwashing detergent gets us to a point where the end-of-the-pipe and septic tank introduction of phosphorus into waterways is at a manageable level and can meet Department of Ecology standards.”
Ormsby says the phosphorus limitation will bring water quality improvements to waterways in many areas of the state.
Critics say Spokane has admirable environmental goals, but that a statewide phosphorus limitation will bring inconveniences to people in places where there are no phosphorus problems.
And, says Representative Jim Buck from the northern Olympic Peninsula, limiting phosphorus counteracts a possible remedy to neutralize heavy metals pollution in the Idaho Panhandle.
“I find it kind of interesting that we would consider banning dishwashing detergent while the jury is still out on whether or not we’re going to cover hundreds of square miles with phosphorus to chelate out the heavy metals that are contaminating the area.”
The lower phosphorus levels would take effect in July, 2008.
The phosphorus bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration.