Ecology funds 130 clean water projects
(OLYMPIA)– Each year, the Washington State Department of Ecology supports communities by funding clean water projects through the Water Quality Combined Funding Program — a mix of state and federal dollars dedicated to protecting and improving water quality. This year, Ecology is investing $158.5 million in 130 projects across the state, according to a news release from the agency.
“Every community in Washington depends on clean water. From upgrading wastewater treatment and reducing stormwater pollution to restoring streams and lakes, these grants and loans help communities make essential investments that protect public health, improve water quality, and strengthen critical infrastructure,” said Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller.
An interactive map and the final offer list of funded projects are available on the Ecology website.
Fifty-seven wastewater projects will receive about $83.7 million in grants, low-interest loans, and forgivable-principal loans (loans that don’t need to be repaid).
Five of these projects qualify for construction hardship assistance, which helps ease the burden of increased sewer rates for residents in small, financially disadvantaged communities. A community qualifies for hardship assistance if its population is 25,000 or less, or if the project would increase residential utility fees by 2% or more of the median household income.
Thirty-six stormwater projects will receive $33.5 million in funding, nearly $4.5 million more than originally anticipated. The total funding available from the Stormwater Financial Assistance Grant Program for this biennium was reduced compared to previous years. However, Ecology was able to use returned funding from completed, under-budget projects to fund 11 more stormwater projects than appeared on the draft offer list.
Ecology’s Stormwater Community-Based Public-Private Partnership Grant Program supports partnerships between local governments and private partners to plan, build, or maintain public stormwater projects. This year, the program is providing $1.5 million for three projects.
Ten onsite sewage system projects will receive $23.6 million and 27 nonpoint projects will receive $17.6 million. Nonpoint pollution comes from dispersed sources and has a significant impact on water quality across the state.
The onsite sewage system funding includes $20 million for the continuation of the statewide Regional Loan Program, a partnership between local health jurisdictions, the Washington State Department of Health, Ecology, and Craft3. The program provides affordable loans to homeowners, many with low incomes, to replace failing septic systems.
Ecology is accepting applications for the next clean water funding cycle from Aug. 11 to Sept. 30, 2026. To learn more about the application process, visit Ecology’s Water Quality Combined Funding Program page on Ecology's website.