Starting today Spokane and Whatcom counties are not alone in the state.

As of today, July 1, the entire state of Washington requires the sale of low phosphate automatic dishwashing detergents for residential use.  Here's more information from the EcoLink section on DTE:

In an ongoing effort to improve water quality in our lakes, rivers, streams, and marine waters, Washington will stop the distribution and sale of dishwasher detergents that contain more than 0.5 percent phosphorus. Because soaps designed for washing dishes by hand are already phosphorus-free, the new requirement affects only soaps used in automatic dishwashers.

The Washington Legislature passed the law in 2006 and it went into effect in Spokane and Whatcom counties in July 2008. The Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire chose to impose the restrictions in Spokane and Whatcom counties in 2008 because of environmental conditions that demanded immediate action. The Spokane River violates the state and federal standards for phosphorus and the community is working to get a plan completed that will be a “road map” toward a cleaner river.

The new limits on phosphorus in dishwasher detergent are an extension of phosphorus limits already in place for laundry detergent. By reducing phosphorus in our everyday household products, we can reduce nutrient pollution. Excess phosphorus acts as a fertilizer to algae and other aquatic plants in fresh water. When these plants and organisms die, their decay uses up oxygen, suffocating our fish and other aquatic life.

Read more HERE. And let the jokes and bootlegging begin.

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