Monitoring and protecting the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer
The Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer (SVRP Aquifer) is our sole source of drinking water. This crucial underground aquifer serves as a vital resource for our region. It serves 600,000 people and underlies about 370 square miles of the relatively flat valley across Washington and Idaho. The aquifer is unique for its fast-flowing and generous water supply and its high susceptibility to contamination.
Since 1977, Spokane County has been monitoring water quality in the aquifer. They have 51 monitoring locations, including Vera’s Well #4 at 24th and Adams.
Water samples are collected quarterly and analyzed in a laboratory for 17 chemicals and other measurements like groundwater levels and temperature. These tests help keep track of the aquifer’s health.
Monitoring the SVRP Aquifer brings many benefits. It improves our understanding, enables early contamination detection, and helps us evaluate water quality trends and the effectiveness of protective measures.
The county recently completed a 20-year analysis of the SVRP aquifer data and published several resources at spokanecounty.org/1285/Groundwater-Monitoring. According to the SVRP’s 20-Year Report (1999-2019):
- Water quality in the SVRP Aquifer is excellent overall.
- The county detected some lead and arsenic above safe levels, but they are rare.
- Groundwater levels are stable.
- Chloride concentrations are increasing.
- Nitrate levels have improved and are now below the limit, except along the northern boundary towards the state line.
Protecting this essential resource for our community’s present and future is essential. Join us in safeguarding our groundwater resources.