To understand the significance of Bijay Adams to the overall stewardship of the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District, you have to go back to 1973 when a collection of residents around Liberty Lake rallied to form a special purpose district to address the deteriorating quality of the water that served as the centerpiece of their community.
The lake had reached a point where public use became so hazardous that it was disallowed. Algae buildup was so thick and toxic that aquatic plants below the water surface couldn’t photosynthesize.
“The lake was basically dying,” Adams said.
Funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and a Clean Lakes program provided the impetus for the replacement of septic tanks and other improvements around the polluted lake. A sewer treatment system was eventually installed. The massive upgrade would set a standard for regional water quality and form a charge that is still reflected in the district’s mission statement – to provide “public sewer and water service through leadership to preserve and protect the aquifer, river and lake, serving people and the environment.”
“The restoration projects worked,” Adams said. “They were able to successfully rehabilitate the lake.”
Adams was brought on in April 2002 as LLSWD’s lake protection manager, a role previously handled by District Manager Lee Mellish and a temporary staff person. Adams would also be responsible for managing water resources and working with developers around the lake to ensure that building practices followed an effective approach to stormwater management and other watershed protections.
Along with other duties, Adams oversees the monitoring of the lake, a task carried out annually by the Washington State University of Natural Resource Sciences. From early spring to late fall, samples are taken to evaluate a wide range of data including dissolved oxygen, temperature, alkalinity, algae and nutrients like phosphorous. While the upkeep of the lake may not be glamorous work, Adams said it is a vital part of the district’s ongoing commitment to preserve a unique natural resource.
“When water quality is good, we don’t hear from people,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know the history of this lake and what’s been accomplished. They just kind of take it for granted.”
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| BiJay Adams has worked as the lake protection manager and water resource manager for the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District since 2002. He was recently certified as a lake manager with the North American Lake Management Society, the first person in Washington to hold such a title. |
A native of Idaho, Adams earned his bachelor’s degree in geology and hydrogeology from Lewis Clark State and worked as a hydrotechnician for the Potlatch Corp. before moving on to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in Coeur d’Alene as an environmental water quality technician. He landed at LLSWD after a solid reference from the Department of Ecology.
“I didn’t have any knowledge of the district before I started but I did have work experience in water,” Adams said.
While lake protection managers are more common in the eastern and Midwestern sections of the U.S., having an employee dedicated to a lake in Eastern Washington set a precedent that has been followed by Hayden Lake and other areas. Tom Agnew, a commissioner with LLSWD, said Adams’ influence has had a ripple effect on environmental awareness beyond Liberty Lake.
“He was the right person at the right time,” Agnew said. “We’re fortunate to have him. I really think he has had more impact on Spokane County and the surrounding region than people realize.”
Part of Adams’ influence has to do with his role as water resource manager, a responsibility that includes getting the word out about water conservation and practices that protect the aquifer and Spokane River. LLSWD has been at the forefront of educational efforts regarding the benefits of phosphorus-free dishwashing and laundry soap, a practice that has been proven to improve oxygen levels for marine life and aquatic plants. Lately, Adams has been helping to facilitate a program in which Greenstone Homes provides phosphorus-free fertilizer to homeowners at no charge.
Adams also helps coordinate a communitywide cleanup twice a year that enlists support from the district and the city of Liberty Lake. On the conservation front, Adams and the district assist residents and business owners in evaluating irrigation systems for overall efficiency.
“You can still have a green lawn and use a lot less water,” Adams said.
Andrew Staples, an engineer with the city of Liberty Lake, said Adams has been a beneficial resource in the community.
“I think he’s definitely helped elevate awareness,” Staples said. “Overall, his work has been very valuable.”
Adams has earned recognition beyond the Inland Northwest for his work in water quality. He has served as the past president of the Washington State Lake Protection Association and is currently part of the agency’s board of directors. Recently, he became the first lake manager in Washington to earn certification with the North American Lake Management Society.
Regardless of titles, Adams said he savors his responsibilities with the district and the opportunity to care for a lake that, to him, represents far more than a passing footnote in a listing of waterfront property.
“I think people still take water quality for granted,” he said. “I have a sincere appreciation for this lake.” |
TheSpokane Valley News Herald