Spokane voters may be asked to rejoin 41-year-old aquifer district in which homeowners pay 15 a year

Spokane voters may soon have the opportunity to decide on rejoining the Spokane County Aquifer Protection Area, a coalition aimed at preserving the region's primary drinking water source. If the measure passes, homeowners would pay a modest fee of $15 annually, mirroring contributions from decades past. Mayor Lisa Brown stressed the urgency of rejoining to address escalating pollution threats and to safeguard the aquifer from new contaminants like PFAS, commonly found in firefighting foams. The Spokane City Council is set to consider placing this measure on the ballot in April, which would coincide with a county proposal to renew the partnership. Established in 1985, the original aquifer protection program significantly reduced the number of septic tanks in the area, contributing to improved water quality.

However, in 2004, the city opted out of the coalition, seeking greater control over local funding. City officials argue that the current environmental landscape necessitates renewed collaboration. If passed, the new agreement would limit the use of funds to education and testing programs that benefit the entire aquifer system.