Twelve clean water projects in Whatcom and Skagit counties were offered funding from a pool of $313 million, the Department of Ecology announced Wednesday, June 21. The projects were among more than 120 across the state.
Of the two counties’ projects, the largest amount of funding was given to the City of Lynden for its stormwater and wastewater facilities. Lynden received more than $1.5 million in grants and more than $2.2 million in loans to go toward expanding the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and constructing stormwater infrastructure to benefit the Nooksack River.
The City of Ferndale, the City of Bellingham and the Nooksack Indian Tribe were among other local entities to receive funding.
Funding comes from Ecology’s Water Quality Combined Funding Program, which collects money from state and federal sources to support clean water in Washington. The project stems from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a federal program in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency that distributes funds based on need to states across the U.S.
Cities, towns, counties, special purpose and conservation districts, tribal governments and some nonprofit organizations could apply for the funding. Chosen projects met particular eligibility requirements, such as a focus on wastewater, stormwater, nonpoint sources and onsite sewage systems.
Wastewater comes from households and industrial usage and is often contaminated with unhealthy or toxic substances. Three wastewater projects in the county are receiving funding from the program: Lynden, the Lummi Tribal Sewer and Water District, and Whatcom County Water District 13.
Stormwater is rain and snow runoff from roofs, streets, parking lots and other surfaces that can contaminate and pollute bodies of water. Seven local projects are focused on stormwater — five from Bellingham, one from Lynden, and one from Ferndale.
Skagit County and Nooksack Indian Tribe projects were awarded funding for nonpoint source pollution, or water and air contaminants without a specific source.
The Lummi Indian Business Council was the only local organization that did not receive its requested funds. The council requested a grant of $500,000 to restore natural water flow and reduce temperatures in the Middle Fork Nooksack River.
While the Water Quality Combined Funding Program covers many projects throughout the state, funding alternatives include the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the Public Works Trust Fund, the Community Development Block Grant and more.
