SAJB Recognized for Protecting Drinking Water

Spokane Aquifer Joint Board Recognized for Protecting Drinking Water

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) selected the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board (SAJB) as the 2014 recipient of an AWWA National Source Water Protection Award. News Release  Award Letter Since 1995, SAJB has collaborated with agencies and organizations across the region to protect drinking water in Spokane County.

Tonilee Hanson, SAJB’s program manager, said “We won in the category for Very Large/Mixed Systems because our twenty-one members include irrigation, water and sewer districts, large and small cities and private industries.”

SAJB recognizes that protection of our drinking water means preventing contamination of our aquifer, which is an on-going, day to day process. SAJB President Ty Wick said, “This is a great recognition for SAJB.  We can use this opportunity to further SAJB’s goals and confirm that our efforts are making a difference.”

The Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer was designated as a ‘sole source’ aquifer in 1978 by the Environmental Protection Agency.  ‘Sole Source’ means that the aquifer is our only affordable source of drinking water in a bi-state region serving more than 600,000 people every day. SAJB is dedicated to protecting this sole source through its Wellhead Protection Program and through citizen education and awareness.

AWWA Executive Director, David LaFrance, will present the award to SAJB on June 9, 2014 at the National American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exposition in Boston, MA.