  |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 1995
95-164
CONTACT:
Steve Carley (360) 407-6572
Jim Milton (509) 575-2434
Mary Getchell (360) 407-6157
ECOLOGY OFFERED DOUGLAS COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT NO. 1 $5 MILLION TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY
OLYMPIA, WA -- The Washington State Department of Ecology offered Douglas County Sewer District No. 1 one of the state’s largest State Revolving Fund loans ever. Ecology gave Douglas County Sewer District a $5,166,824 low interest loan to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. The sewer district serves East Wenatchee.
"We’re glad we can help Douglas County Sewer District with such a substantial amount of loan funds and to help build the most cost effective solution for meeting current requirements and future wastewater treatment plant needs. We know that the district’s treatment plant is in need of an upgrade and expansion that this money and assistance will go a long way in helping in the local community,” said Mary Riveland, Ecology’s director.
Last month Ecology offered the sewer district serving East Wenatchee a $335,218 loan to help finance a portion of the design and construction costs for wastewater treatment plant upgrades. The additional monies became available because other offers for loans Ecology recently made have been declined and funds from a previous loan have been deobligated. The high priority need to address significant water quality problems posed by the district’s wastewater treatment plant made it the recipient of the additional money.
"We’re appreciative of the loan. It’s going to help us get through our wastewater treatment plant upgrade and help us keep our rates down, so they are affordable for our customers,” said Roger Ray, manager for the Douglas County Sewer District No. 1.
The district’s wastewater treatment plant needs to increase in size to accommodate the East Wenatchee community’s growing population. In addition, the plant needs to upgrade sludge treatment and install backup equipment for improved reliability.
In 1987, Congress established the State Revolving Fund, which provides low-interest loans to local governments and Indian Tribes. The federal government provides 80 percent of the funds and the state matches the funds with 20 percent.
Douglas County has until December 29, 1995 to negotiate and sign the final terms of the loan agreement.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
