Spokane director reports 2024 combined-sewer overflow low; senior discount enrollment rises

Marlene Feist, the director presenting the monthly report, told the Spokane Transportation Commission that the city’s combined sewer overflow system recorded one overflow in 2024 that released about 112,000 gallons to the river.

Feist said the system’s tanks and interceptor-protection storage captured nearly 72,000,000 gallons of combined stormwater and wastewater in 2024, and she contrasted those volumes with the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which processes roughly 11,000,000,000 gallons a year. “So what's the comparison of our 112,000 gallons? About 2 seconds of river flow,” Feist said, adding that November 2024 produced unusually heavy rain and was the wettest November since 2006.

Feist also updated the commission on the city’s senior and disabled utility discount. The program began in 2018 at $10 a month; rates were changed to $15 a month for 2025 and are scheduled to rise to $20 a month in 2026. Feist said roughly 1,800 customers were enrolled before the rate change; staff mailed letters in December to about 2,400 customers who may qualify and have so far added about 1,000 additional enrollees.

Why it matters: Feist framed the overflow and capture figures to show the effect of investments in storage tanks and green infrastructure over decades, and to show compliance with state expectations. She told the commission that Washington Department of Ecology compliance for CSOs is “one overflow per outfall per year,” and that the city is meeting that standard. The senior/disabled discount update indicates active outreach and uptake following the rate change.

Details: Feist said the city has 24 CSO and interceptor-protection tanks with about 16,600,000 gallons of storage capacity. She described November 2024 rainfall totals and the role of a SCADA upgrade that will allow better real-time diversion to the treatment plant during intermittent storms. On crosswalks and pedestrian devices, Feist said staff are tracking about 53 mapped protected-crossing locations and expect five new pedestrian hybrid beacons and several rectangular rapid-flashing beacons to be installed in the 2025 construction season as part of ongoing pedestrian-safety work.

Public comment: A resident identified as Rachel spoke during public comment urging support for an enhanced crossing on Francis Street, saying, “It can be very difficult for pedestrians to get across at Francis,” and asked the commission to consider locations that would also serve businesses near 5 Mile.

Next steps: Feist said staff will continue to monitor CSO performance, pursue SCADA and other system improvements, and refine maps and schedules for pedestrian crossing devices. The senior/disabled discount outreach will continue as staff processes letters and follows up with residents who may qualify.