Water Supply & Withdrawal

In this section you will find information about the importance of climate variabiity on  aquifer recharge, lake levels, Spokane River instream flows and our regional water budget.  You can also learn more about regional water purveyors and how they deliver water 24/7 from the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer to your homes and businesses.

 

Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR)- Idaho Water Supply information is provided through the combined efforts of state and federal governmental agencies involved in water management in Idaho. Each agency brings a different technical aspect and expertise in order to provide the most extensive water supply outlook available.

 

 

Ecology Water Resources Program. Ecology works with Washington communities and their citizens to provide effective water management.  Historically, Washington residents have enjoyed an abundance of water, but water availability is no longer a luxury.  Ecology is committed to meeting current water needs and ensuring future water availability for people, fish and the natural environment.

 

Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer (RPA) Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan (CAMP). The CAMP plan for the RPA provides a framework for long-range management of the aquifer. The Plan describes the overarching goals and recommended actions that can accomplish the stated goals for local residents, the state of Idaho, and to promote productive regional cooperation to benefit the area over the next 50 years.

Are you wondering who provides water to your home or business? The Spokane Aquifer Joint Board provides a regional map of Kootenai County, Idaho and Spokane County, WA  called, “Find My Water Provider.” The search results for any given address indicates which water provider is designated to serve the area.  However, water lines may not yet be installed in undeveloped areas.  Also, due to the likelihood of small, unmapped systems please contact the water provider indicated for your address to verify that your property is within the water provider’s service area or to determine if water is currently available for a specific address.

2016 – From Planning to Implementation, Idaho Efforts to Make Sure There is Enough Water for Current and Future Uses   Neeley Miller, Idaho Department of Water Resources –Idaho’s Statewide Water Sustainability Effort;  Meghan Carter, IDWR – North Idaho Adjudication Current Status; Paul Kimmel, Avista; Phil Cernera, Perspectives from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe; Adrienne Cronebaugh, Kootenai Environmental Alliance – Protesting Excessive Water Rights Applications; and Ben Floyd, Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee Palouse Ground Water Basin Water Supply Alternatives Project. Presented at the Spokane River Forum Conference  March 23, 2016.

2016 – Does Our Future Include Enough Water? Allyson Beall King, WSU and John Porcello, GSI Water Solutions. Keynote at the Spokane River Forum, March 23, 2016.
2016 –Water Quantity in Washington – A Brief Regulatory Perspective. Rob Lindsay, Spokane County Utilities. Presented at SRF Conference  3-24-16.