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Department of Ecology News Release - November 15, 2001
01-190
SPOKANE - Preventing pollution from entering the Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer is the goal of a half-year special project being conducted by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board (SAJB).
Ecology and the SAJB are working with small businesses that are located over the aquifer to make sure they know how to properly dispose hazardous wastes so they don't become a pollution problem for the aquifer.
Chemical and hazardous wastes disposed improperly can pollute underground water, especially in places where the distance to the aquifer is shallow. The Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer is as close as 50 feet below the ground surface, and anything dumped or poured on the ground could ultimately end up in drinking water.
More than 22 water purveyors that make up the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board (SAJB) withdraw their water through wells and deliver it to homes and businesses year-round.
"We all know it's vital to people's health that the aquifer is protected," said Ty Wick, president of the SAJB. "But businesses can also save a lot of money by learning what their options are, so everybody wins."
Toxic reduction specialists with the Department of Ecology are available to provide free technical advice about proper management of hazardous wastes. Visits requested by businesses will be for advice and education, not for enforcement purposes.
Since mid-summer, about 220 businesses have been visited, and more are welcome to call to receive help while the program is under way.
The toxic reduction specialists help small-business owners with better ways to manage hazardous waste and comply with other state environmental regulations, including strategies for protecting Spokane's aquifer.
"So far, we've seen some cases of unlabeled and open hazardous-waste containers, but many businesses are managing their wastes very well," said Camille Martin, a toxic reduction specialist with Ecology.
According to Martin, Ecology and the SAJB is promoting Spokane County's hazardous-waste collection program.
"For those who aren't already using that service, it's a good way to save money and do the right thing at the same time. It's cost-effective and protects our sole source of drinking water through the proper disposal of contaminants," she said.
For additional information or to schedule a visit, business owners may contact Camille Martin at Ecology, 456-6369. For information on disposing of small quantities of hazardous substances, call 747-0242.
Contact: Jani Gilbert, public information manager, 509-456-4464; pager, 509-622-1289
Also visit the SAJB Web site: http://www.spokaneaquifer.org
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
