LaCrosse, Tekoa, Palouse projects on clean water list

The Washington Department of Ecology has selected 72 clean water projects to receive a share of approximately $162 million in loans and grants starting in the state’s next fiscal year beginning July 1.

Included on the list are projects at LaCrosse, Tekoa and Oakesdale.

The funding is contingent on a final state budget.

Projects include upgrades and expansion of sewer plants and collection systems; septic system improvements, water re-use facilities; water protection and cleanup projects; stormwater projects; stream-side restoration projects and clean water education projects.

State financial managers calculate that 11 jobs in Washington are created for every $1 million spent on construction and design funding.

Local funding projects are as follows:

Town of LaCrosse wastewater facilities project will provide the needed repairs to the sewer system. The repairs include rewiring the two lift stations for an emergency generator; adding a chlorination device and repairing lagoon number two; removing a four-inch force main and replacing it with a six-inch force main and meter; video inspection of several service mains; new pumps, motors and electrical for the central lift station and lift station number two. Funds requested: $891,400.

City of Tekoa infiltration and inflow reduction improvements. The project consists of construction of several previously designed sections of pipe within the city that have significant infiltration and inflow problems. Funds requested: $824,102

Palouse Conservation District South Fork Palouse River implementation and education. This project will educate and work with local residents to address current water quality issues. The goal is to meet water quality standards. Implementation sections will help restore water so it can meet water quality standards in the future. Funds requested: $168,263.

Funding for Ecology’s integrated loan and grant program comes from a combination of dedicated state and federal monies. Of the $162 million total, $135 million comes from the Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. The revolving fund is a low interest rate loan program funded with a combination federal grant, state match and principal and interest repayments. Another $25 million comes from the state Centennial Clean Water Program, which is a grant program funded through state bonds.

The federal grant-funded Clean Water Section 319 Nonpoint Source Fund provides another $1.6 million of the proposed funding.

Four of the proposals were ineligible for funding and 13 did not score high enough in the rating and ranking system to qualify.

State highlights include:

• Thirty-nine projects to solve non-point source pollution. Non-point source pollution comes from diffuse, hard-to-trace sources. Runoff carries it into downstream waters.

• Ten wastewater facility construction projects in non-hardship communities.

• Eight stormwater facility construction projects.

• Seven projects for planning and/or design of wastewater or stormwater facilities.

• Five wastewater treatments facility projects in communities that qualify for financial hardship status. They may receive grants, forgivable principal loans (loans that do not need to be paid back), and loans with interest rates as low as zero percent.

• Two onsite sewage system repair and replacement projects.

• Completion of the 20-year Spokane County/City extended payment grant.