New Regulations Require Idaho Cities To Cut Phosphorus By 90 Percent

The federal government is cracking down on phosphorus in Idaho.

"Federal officials have issued permits to three northern Idaho cities that limit how much pollution can be put into the Spokane River," the Seattle Timesreported.

Under the new mandate, these cities must lower phosphorus discharges into the Spokane, one of the most polluted in the state. The rules say discharges must be cut by 90 percent over 10 years by Coeur d'alene, Post Falls, and Hayden.

"The new limits are included in wastewater discharge permits for the cities of Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls and the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board, which were issued last week by the U.S. Environmental Protect Agency," the Spokesman-Review reported.

Algae is part of the impetus for the new regulations.

"The new permits come after years of effort to reduce algae blooms and boost dissolved oxygen levels in the river. Washington dischargers have been operating under similar limits since 2011," the report said.

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