HOUSE BILL REPORT
EHB 2322
As Passed House:
February 14, 2006
Title: An act relating to limiting the phosphorus content in dishwashing detergent.
Brief Description: Limiting the phosphorus content in dishwashing detergent.
Sponsors: By Representative Ormsby.
Brief History:
Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks: 1/27/06, 1/31/06 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/14/06, 78-19.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ECOLOGY & PARKS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Upthegrove, Vice Chair; Blake, Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Hunt and Kagi.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Buck, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler and Orcutt.
Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).
Background:
Phosphorous is a naturally occurring element that stimulates plant growth. When introduced
into freshwater, phosphorous promotes growth of weeds and algae and can degrade water
quality.
In 1993, legislation was enacted prohibiting the sale of laundry detergent that contains 0.5
percent or more phosphorous by weight, and the sale of dishwashing detergent that contains
more than 8.7 percent phosphorous by weight.
Summary of Engrossed Bill:
The sale of dishwashing detergent that contains 0.5 percent or more phosphorous by weight is
prohibited after July 1, 2008.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: (In support) Spokane area waters have excessive phosphates, contributing
to a problem with low-dissolved oxygen. Phosphorous is a limiting factor for algal growth,
and excess phosphorous can lead to algal blooms, resulting in fish kills. This proposal will
eliminate the problem at the source, rather than try to treat it at the end of the pipe.
Treatments available for wastewater treatment plants are expensive. Spokane County is
planning on spending $125 million to reduce phosphorous content. There are thousands of
septic systems, and these systems do not treat phosphorous. Phosphorous is causing water
quality problems all across Washington. There are viable alternatives available to consumers
that have no phosphorous. By using detergents that have between 4 and 8 percent
phosphorous by content, it is like pouring fertilizer down your drain that will eventually make
it into streams. Studies have shown that between 9 and 34 percent of phosphorous in
treatment plants are attributable to dishwashing detergents. Toxic algal blooms kill pets and
livestock and are a public health concern.
(With concerns) Industry needs more time to effectively implement this change.
Testimony Against: Consumers have demonstrated that they prefer dishwashing detergents that contain phosphorous. Phosphorous is an important ingredient in dishwashing detergent for cleaning and sterilizing. The soap and detergent industry has reduced phosphorous content in hand soaps and has invested $200 million in alternatives for dishwashing detergent. Alternatives that consumers prefer are not yet available. A study conducted in Minnesota demonstrated that 1.9 percent of the phosphorous going into the stream from a wastewater treatment facility is from dishwashing detergent. There are effective tertiary treatments available that can remove the phosphorous at the treatment facility.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Ormsby, prime sponsor; Craig Engelking,
Becky Stanley, and Valarie Matinjussi, Sierra Club; Rachel Osborn; Martin Wolf, Seventh
Generation Inc.; Rico Reed; Todd Mielke, Spokane County Commissioners; Dave Peeler,
Department of Ecology; and Tom Agnew, Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District.
(With concerns) Steve Peterson, Mayor of Liberty Lake.
(Opposed) Bob Gee, Washington Food Industry; Dennis Griesing, Soap and Detergent
Association; and Jan Wengler, Reckitt Benckiser.