EPA erred in Spokane River pollution limits

Officials say efforts to reduce pollution in the Spokane River in northern Idaho and eastern Washington are being delayed because the Environmental Protection Agency erred in calculating limits in permits for Idaho cities that discharge treated sewage into the river.

The agency on Thursday announced the error that allowed Idaho cities to put too much pollution into the system and says it will meet with representatives of Idaho cities this month to discuss what the error means.

The Spokane River receives the treated sewage from about 500,000 residents in the region, which can erode water quality.

Officials in Washington state say they have been concerned that Idaho cities were being allowed to put too much pollution into the river.

---

Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesmanreview.com