SPOKANE, Wash. — The Department of Ecology has proposed to award $386 million in grants and loans for 134 high-priority clean water projects across the state of Washington.
The Water Quality Combined Funding Program supports communities by helping them upgrade wastewater treatment and sewer systems, manage polluted stormwater and complete a variety of other projects to prevent and clean up diffuse sources of pollution, also known as nonpoint pollution.
About 90% of the funding that the Water Quality Program receives goes to support local communities for environmental and infrastructure projects.
Their funding comes from a mix of state and federal funds that are dedicated for water quality improvements and projection.
For state fiscal year 2025, the Water Quality Program received:
$31 million in BIL supplemental funding focused on assisting small, financially disadvantaged communities.$4.5 million of forgivable principal loan funding to address emerging contaminants, such as 6PPD.EPA is providing an estimated $1 million from the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program.
50 wastewater projects are proposed to receive a combined $327 million in grants, low interest loans and forgivable loans. Here are some of the Clear Water highlighted projects:
The Spokane Conservation District$1 million will go to build on previous work to prevent stream bank erosion and install riparian plantings along Hangman Creek. Clark Conservation District$500,000 will go to build on a previous program in Clark County focused on the East Fork Lewis River Watershed. This proposal expands the program county-wide, and includes pollution source identification, targeted outreach and voluntary implementation of best management practices.City of Tumwater$357,000 will go to an Enhanced Maintenance Plan and stormwater facility design for four linear bioretention facilities. The bioretention facilities will provide treatment at a 52.4-acre catchment area for metals, organics, suspended solids, and bacteria.
For more information on this grant and to see the other projects receiving money, go to the Department of Ecology’s website.
