Nearly $108 million to clean and maintain Washington's lakes and rivers

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - October 4, 2001

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Nearly $108 million to clean and maintain Washington's lakes and rivers

OLYMPIA - Communities and other public organizations will share nearly $108 million to upgrade and expand outdated wastewater treatment facilities, install water reclamation and re-use facilities, enhance irrigation systems and complete other high-priority projects to improve and protect the quality of water in Washington's lakes, rivers and bay areas.

Between now and September 16, 2002, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) will distribute the low-interest loans and grants to 106 projects in communities throughout the state.

"We had more money to go around this year because of the tremendous success we've had getting previous loans repaid," said Tom Fitzsimmons, Ecology's director. "As a result, this cycle is helping communities help each other to get and keep all of our waterways clean."

This year, 82 percent of the local, state and tribal governments and public organizations that asked for funding got it.

Ecology, with assistance from the Washington Conservation Commission, reviewed 123 proposed projects and also conducted a formal public review. After considering the public comments, the agency selected the projects that met the following criteria: existing or potential water-quality or public-health problems, the effectiveness of proposed projects to solve pollution problems, state and federal mandates, and local community coordination.

Ecology funded two projects involved with developing water reclamation and re-use facilities. Reclaimed water is recycled waste water that has been used at least once previously and treated and processed at a high level so it can be used again.

"Reclaiming and re-using water is important in making sure we have enough water for all of our needs in the future," said Fitzsimmons.

Ecology administers the loan and grant program and also provides technical assistance. Funding is provided through the Centennial Clean Water Fund, Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint-Source Fund.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157, pager, (360) 534-8590

For a complete list of projects in your coverage area: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/2002