Communities in Washington state will receive $309 million that will support clean water projects and water infrastructure needs.
The Department of Ecology’s latest round of grants and loans will support 136 projects that include stream restoration and engineered wetlands that will provide stormwater treatment.
The projects include the official kickoff of Ecology’s new pilot process that allows communities or utilities with urgent infrastructure needs to apply for wastewater funding outside of the annual funding cycle.
Qualifying projects include post-emergency recovery efforts from natural disasters or projects that have received funds from other sources but still need to meet some of the department’s prerequisites, Ecology said.
The pilot’s first project involves awarding a $60,000 grant to help the Town of Metaline Falls update their general sewer plan, with specific emphasis on identifying and replacing aging infrastructure to prevent future emergencies. This investment will help the community make necessary progress on wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements and better protect the Pend Oreille River, Ecology said.
“Our top priority is to support communities. Across Washington, we are using innovative ideas to help put money to work faster and with greater benefits,” said Vince McGowan, Water Quality program manager. “We are excited to support clean water pilot projects that are already proving successful and to continue trying new approaches.”
Also new this year is incorporation of an Environmental Justice Assessment for grant or loan projects over $12 million, as required under Washington’s Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act. Six wastewater-related projects require environmental justice assessments this year. Ecology will finish the assessments for these projects in the coming months, prior to finalizing the project’s funding agreement, the department said.
Nearly 90% of the funding Ecology’s water quality program receives is passed through to local communities through the Water Quality Combined Funding program. Washington’s clean water funding is a mix of state and federal funds dedicated toward improving and protecting water quality.
Funding includes approximately $40 million from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure law to assist small, financially disadvantaged communities and address emerging contaminants.
Ecology accepts clean water project applications every August through October.
Projects include:
57 wastewater projects totaling $255 million in grant and loan offers. Wastewater projects range from supporting designs for critical treatment plan updates in Toppenish with $1.5 million, to a $932,000 grant for the City of Mattawa to construct a gravity sewer main line. Of these projects, 28 were awarded to communities eligible for financial hardship consideration. These are projects with 25,000 people or fewer in the community and where, without financial support, the project could lead to sewer fees costing more than 2% of median household income for the area.
$17 million in funding for 39 projects that address nonpoint pollution, including four awards that support onsite sewage system programs and projects. This includes projects such as the Savvy Septic Program in Snohomish County. Ecology is offering the county a $500,000 grant to help residents repair and maintain their onsite sewage systems. Ecology is also providing ongoing support for the Spokane Conservation District’s Hangman Creek Riparian Buffer Incentive Program. With $1 million in grant funding from Ecology, the Conservation District will continue to provide rental rates with long-term contracts for agricultural riparian land taken out of production.
$37.5 million for 41 stormwater-related projects. Proposed work includes plans, designs, and construction to manage and reduce stormwater pollution. The Port of Everett is receiving a $255,000 grant to improve water quality in the East Waterway of Port Gardner Bay with the installation of a modular wetland linear system. This system can reduce the amount of copper, zinc, phosphorus, oils and other pollutants that make it into the water. The City of Vancouver will receive $379,306 to support their Evergreen High School stormwater improvement design project. The grant will help fund stormwater retrofit designs to bring stormwater treatment to more than nine acres of parking lots currently without treatment. The city plans to address zinc, copper, 6PPD-quinone, bacteria and other pollutants with these improvements.
Photo courtesy of the Washington Department of Ecology
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