CWSP History
In 1982, Spokane County completed the 1st Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) for the Critical Water Supply Service Area (CWSSA) within Spokane County. The CWSP was updated in 1989 and again in 1999. That document was prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Water System Coordination Act, Chapter 70.116 RCW. The Act specifies that a Critical Water Supply Service Area (CWSSA) be designated, and that a CWSP be prepared and updated every 5 years to address issues of regional interest and incorporate individual Water System Plans for public water systems within the area. The 1982 CWSP established service areas for public water utilities, minimum design standards, Utility Service Review Procedure (USRP), a conflict appeals process, and regional supply needs associated with wholesale supplies for the West Plains interties, water rights, and satellite system management.
In 1989, the CWSP was updated. During preparation of the Update, a Preliminary Assessment was conducted by the Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC). It was submitted in December, 1987, to the County Commissioners recommending that the CWSP process be expanded to include other areas which were precluded from the original CWSP. The majority of the new territory was in the north Spokane County area. The easterly boundary was also expanded to the County line. Only slight expansion occurred to the south. Subsequent to public hearing conducted during the spring of 1988, the study boundary was expanded to include these new areas. The areas included in the CWSP preparation were:
The CWSP and its update also became the Water General Plan for Spokane County, as specified in Chapter 39.94 RCW, the County Services Act. In addition to the CWSP, the County has prepared a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) to guide the development and provision of sewerage services throughout the urbanizing area. In combination, these documents facilitate the coordinated provision of water and sewer service and provide a structured approach to water resource management throughout the area.
In 1997, another update of the CWSP was initiated. In addition to updating the original topics included in the 1982 and 1989 plans, the 1999 CWSP update addresses regional resource issues, such as water conservation and wellhead protection. The 1999 update is available here.
Plan Updates
In 1989, the CWSP was updated. During preparation of the Update, a Preliminary Assessment was conducted by the Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC). It was submitted in December, 1987, to the County Commissioners recommending that the CWSP process be expanded to include other areas which were precluded from the original CWSP. The majority of the new territory was in the north Spokane County area. The easterly boundary was also expanded to the County line. Only slight expansion occurred to the south. Subsequent to public hearing conducted during the spring of 1988, the study boundary was expanded to include these new areas. The areas included in the CWSP preparation were:
- CWSSA No. 1 - North Spokane
- CWSSA No. 2 - City of Spokane
- CWSSA No. 3 - Spokane Valley
- CWSSA No. 4 - West Plains.
The CWSP and its update also became the Water General Plan for Spokane County, as specified in Chapter 39.94 RCW, the County Services Act. In addition to the CWSP, the County has prepared a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) to guide the development and provision of sewerage services throughout the urbanizing area. In combination, these documents facilitate the coordinated provision of water and sewer service and provide a structured approach to water resource management throughout the area.
In 1997, another update of the CWSP was initiated. In addition to updating the original topics included in the 1982 and 1989 plans, the 1999 CWSP update addresses regional resource issues, such as water conservation and wellhead protection. The 1999 update is available here.