Minor failure underscores major improvement in Spokane's stormwater system

A recent failure in Spokane's stormwater system has raised concerns while also highlighting the effectiveness of recent infrastructure improvements. On November 13, an earthen wall in a catchment area collapsed due to heavy rainfall, resulting in a minor landslide that released some polluted water into the Spokane River. Kirstin Davis, the city's Public Works spokesperson, noted that the situation could have been much worse had the upgrades not been implemented in the past year, which have helped prevent significant pollution from entering the river—a common occurrence prior to these changes. Although the Spokane Riverkeeper expressed disappointment that the new system struggled during heavy rains, they acknowledged that the overall infrastructure has effectively captured most stormwater. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for continuous evaluation and potential redesign of stormwater management systems to adapt to changing weather patterns.

As Spokane faces one of its rainiest Novembers on record, the city’s proactive measures have become increasingly critical, making ongoing investment in stormwater infrastructure essential to protect local waterways and ensure a sustainable future.