Out, Out, Damn Phosphates! SB 631 Passes House, Heads to Governor

This morning the Oregon House voted 47-13 to pass SB 631, a bill to reduce phosphates in household dish soap. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature. A special congrats to Sen. Jackie Dingfelder, lead sponsor, and cosponsor Rep. Jules Bailey, who carried it on the House side. Voting against were Reps. Garrard, Gilman, Hanna, Krieger, Maurer, Olson, Richardson, G. Smith, Sprenger, Thatcher, Thompson, Weidner, and Wingard.

When introduced to surface or ground water, phosphorus increases algae growth which in turn can reduce oxygen levels and kill aquatic life. This has caused major algae blooms on lakes in Oregon, including Woahink and Siltcoos Lake

on the south coast. In 2007 the community between those lakes, Dunes  City, passed an ordinance designed to reduce phosphorus deposits.  This ban will help clean up waters and save on the cost of waste water treatment.

More about the bill