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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 1996
96-166
CONTACT:
Teri Fisher (509) 454-7843
Joan Snyder (509) 454-7864
Mary Getchell (360) 407-6157
Department Of Ecology Issues Loans To Local Governments In Yakima County To Improve Water Quality
YAKIMA, WA--Local governments in Yakima County are working to protect and improve water quality. Recently the Washington State Department of Ecology issued loans to the Naches-Selah Irrigation District and the town of Tieton.
"The loans and technical assistance we are providing to local governments are a great partnership approach to making important environmental progress. Funding and assisting with community water quality projects is a primary goal of the Department of Ecology," Mike Llewelyn, Ecology's water quality program manager.
Ecology issued the Naches-Selah Irrigation District a $991,895 loan to replace about 12,000 feet of open canal and leaking concrete irrigation pipes. The open canal and leaking pipes will be enclosed with steel and plastic pipe. The current irrigation system is causing water quality problems by various pollutants getting into the water: debris and garbage; pesticides being sprayed near the canal; manure from animals; and soil erosion from dirt around the canal.
In addition, water is evaporating and leaking from the system.
The town of Tieton also recently received a loan. Ecology issued the city a $249,000 loan to do a comprehensive sewer plan and a facilities plan. The town will also do a preliminary report on the feasibility of creating a regional sewage treatment facility with the Cowiche Sewer District. The plans are needed because the Tieton sewage treatment facility is too small for the town's current population and projected population growth. A Comprehensive Sewer Plan will provide planning for the area and the number of people that will be serviced by sewer. It will also look at the environmental and economic benefits of having a regional sewage treatment plant. A facilities plan will set the design for the proposed facility upgrade. The city will submit the plans to Ecology for review and approval.
Ecology issued the local governments State Revolving Fund Loans. This year Ecology issued $53.6 million in State Revolving Fund loans. Ecology administers the federal program of issuing low-interest loans to local governments to improve water quality.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
