Home / Environment / West Plains Faces $15 Water Fee for 'Forever Chemicals'
West Plains Faces $15 Water Fee for 'Forever Chemicals'
24 Mar
Summary
- Property owners may vote on $15 annual fees for water quality improvements.
- Funding aims to address groundwater contamination from 'forever chemicals'.
- Proposed area could generate $400,000 annually for infrastructure and education.
West Plains property owners are considering a potential annual fee of $15 to fund water quality initiatives. Spokane County is exploring the establishment of an aquifer protection area to raise money for infrastructure, monitoring, and educational campaigns targeting groundwater tainted with 'forever chemicals.'
This proposed protection area for the West Plains Aquifer, if advanced by county commissioners in April, could be put before voters in August. The funding mechanism is similar to one already in place for the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, established in 1985. The West Plains proposal would include Cheney and Airway Heights, with both city councils having voted to join the effort.
Around 18,600 parcels would fall within the proposed boundaries. Single-family homes could pay $15 yearly for groundwater use and an additional $15 if using a septic system, while commercial properties would be charged based on meter size. If approved, the measure is projected to generate about $400,000 annually, with a portion distributed to participating towns for various water-related projects.
Spokane County Public Works Director Kyle Twohig indicated that funds might take over a year to become available post-approval. The Spokane County Commission has until May 1 to decide whether to advance the measure to the August primary ballot, with a public hearing anticipated on April 14.
