Partnerships for Safe and Reliable Drinking Water
Capital improvements to our public water systems are critical to the long-term health and economic vitality of Washington's communities. Congress established a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan program as part of its reauthorization of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in 1996.
The program provides low-interest loans to eligible public water systems to build, repair, and redesign infrastructure. Funds are also available for preconstruction and consolidation grants and loans to prepare for infrastructure construction projects.
The Department of Health (DOH) currently administers these programs.
StoryMap of Project Profiles
We're advertising our successful projects in a more engaging way through a StoryMap: Improving Washington's Drinking Water, One Loan at a Time. This is a data-driven way to talk about a project and provides a map tour and synopsis of successful DWSRF projects around the state. Each point on the map links to a description and photo, with a link to more details. We hope this new way to communicate our successes inspires other drinking water systems to participate in our program and gives them new ideas for solving challenges they may face.
Profiles
Follow the links below to learn more about projects across the state or view our project profiles in a StoryMap!
Holiday Hideaway Association
The Holiday Hideaway Association needed to address elevated iron and manganese level in their drinking water, harden infrastructure against seawater intrusion, increase storage capacity, and gain better control over well withdrawal rates. Read about Holiday Hideaway's successful project (PDF).
Skagit Public Utility District
One of Skagit PUD's sixty-year-old water transmission line experienced many significant breaks, signaling the end of its useful life. This project re-routed the 5.3 mile transmission line and was used to install a mainline meter. The meter helps the utility evaluate their water use efficiency. Read more about how Skagit PUD used the DDWSRF funds (PDF).
City of Raymond
Corrosion in the city's three-million-gallon Raymond Heights steel water reservoir indicated it was time to recoat and repair the tank. Surface water treatment can lead to low alkaline water, which leads to corrosion. They also installed a new security fence, ladder, and vents. Read more about the improvements to City of Raymond's reservoir (PDF).
City of Olympia 417 Zone Reservoir
The city's Hoffman reservoir in the 417 Zone needed cleaning and maintenance. This means taking the reservoir offline. To do this the city needs a new tank within the zone. This new tank helps them remain in compliance with drinking water standards and complete necessary maintenance to the Hoffman reservoir to maintain existing infrastructure. Read more about City of Olympia's 417 Zone project (PDF).
McKee's Evergreen Beach Association
The Association had to address a water quality standard violation for arsenic. Levels of manganese in the water supply also exceed recommended levels. This project allowed them to install a water treatment system for arsenic and manganese reduction, build a new reservoir, and replace two well pumps. They also upgraded the existing electrical instrumentation and controls to support the new treatment system. Read about McKee's Evergreen Beach Association's successful project (PDF).
City of Moxee—Emergency Well Project
In 2019, the City of Moxee lost its main producing well, drilled in 1983. The loss of this well meant water restrictions for both residents and the commercial businesses in Moxee. The city applied for and received DWSRF and Public Works Board emergency loans. City of Moxee is now able to provide safe and reliable drinking water, as well as meet all customer demands for water. Read about Moxee's emergency well project (PDF).
City of College Place—Christ Community Fellowship Consolidation Project
Christ Community Fellowship serves the College Place community as both a school and place of worship. The church's well was impacted by nitrates at almost twice the maximum contaminant level. City of College Place became involved and offered to connect the church and school to its municipal water system. The city applied for three DWSRF loans for a new well and the consolidation of the two systems. Now Christ Community Fellowship church and school receive safe and reliable drinking water, and the City of College Place has a new well that results in a more resilient water supply for the city. Read about City of College Place—Christ Community Fellowship consolidation project (PDF).
Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District (LLSWD)—Eastside Liberty Lake Improvement Club (ESLLIC) Consolidation Project
ESLLIC incorporated in 1945 and serves 327 customers. The service area is within the sewer service area boundary of LLSWD, which, under contract operates and maintains the ESLLIC water system. ESLLIC applied for and received a DWSRF improvement loan. In 2016, LLSWD contacted DWSRF about converting the loan to a consolidation project, which was approved. Read more about the Liberty Lake consolidation project (PDF) and how it benefits public health.
City of Spokane—Central Wells 1 and 2 Rehabilitation Project
The City of Spokane is served by a number of groundwater wells. Central Wells 1 and 2 provide about 15 percent of the city's water and were equipped with older, inefficient pumps. The replacement project was financed with a DWSRF loan. Read about the City of Spokane's rehabilitation project (PDF).
City of Selah—Booster Pump Station and Well 7 Improvement Projects
In 2016, the City of Selah used a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan to replace an old booster pump station and improve Well 7. The existing booster pump station was below ground, unsafe, and difficult to access for maintenance. And it couldn't deliver a reliable, adequate water flow to the distribution system. Read about Selah's improvement projects (PDF).
City of Olympia—McAllister Well Field Corrosion Control Facility
In 2014, the City of Olympia switched from an unfiltered surface water source to the McAllister Well Field, which produces over 10,000 gallons per minute and provides about 80 percent of the city's drinking water. To comply with the Lead and Copper Rule, the city was required to install corrosion control on the new wells. Read about Olympia's corrosion control facility (PDF).
City of Bellingham—Dissolved Air Flotation Project
In 2009, algae in the City of Bellingham's surface water source, Lake Whatcom, clogged filters and reduced filter run times. After evaluating several alternatives, Bellingham selected dissolved air flotation treatment process to address high loads of suspended organics, such as algae. Read about Bellingham's dissolved air flotation project (PDF).
Jefferson County PUD—Quimper Regional Consolidation
Jefferson County PUD is using DWSRF loans to consolidate several small systems into the larger Quimper regional water system. The consolidation helped two smaller systems that were facing overwhelmingly expensive regulatory requirements. It also provides the regional Quimper water system with multiple water sources. Read about Jefferson County PUD's regional consolidation project (PDF).
City of Lynden
The City of Lynden applied for multiple DWSRF loans to replace their old and undersized surface water treatment plant. The original plant, built in 1926, has serious code and structural issues. It has no room for expansion and cannot meet peak demands, forcing the city to rely on water storage. Read about the City of Lynden's water treatment plant replacement (PDF).
City of Mabton—New Well Project, 2014
In 2014, the City of Mabton used a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan to drill and equip a new well. The city needed the new well to replace a failed well and reduce demand on another well, which drew water with high levels of nitrate. Read more about Mabton's new well project (PDF).
City of Mabton—Reservoir and System Improvements Project, 2015
In 2015, the City of Mabton used a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan to add a new 1-million-gallon (MG) reservoir, upgrade the chlorination system, and install a generator on the main water supply well. Read more about Mabton's reservoir and systems improvements project (PDF).
City of Prosser
The City of Prosser in Benton County provides drinking water to a population of 5,900. The primary water supply is a well field, which has naturally occurring manganese that exceeds the secondary (aesthetic) maximum contaminant level. The water system also has wrestled with its disinfection system and aging infrastructure. All of these problems are being addressed with a series of projects. Read about the City of Prosser's water systems improvement projects (PDF).
Seattle Public Utilities—Maple Leaf Reservoir Project
Seattle Public Utilities is nearing completion of its Reservoir Covering Program. The program began in the mid-1990s in response to the Clean Water Act and to comply with state Department of Health requirements. The goal is to cover and secure all of Seattle's reservoirs by 2020. Read about the Seattle Public Utilities' Maple Leaf Reservoir project (PDF).
City of Shelton—New Upper Mountain View Pressure Zone Project
The City of Shelton is developing infrastructure to provide water to portions of the Shelton Urban Growth Area and improve service to the northern portion of the city (Mountain View Pressure Zone). The project will construct new reservoirs at two sites, a new booster pump station, replace two existing pumps, and add two new pressure reducing stations to improve operation of the city's water system. Read about the City of Shelton's project (PDF).
Snohomish County PUD—Dubuque and Cascade Acres Consolidation
Consolidation is a way for troubled water systems to get the help they need to provide their customers with safe and reliable drinking water. One example is the consolidation of the Dubuque and Cascade Acres water systems into the Lake Stevens water system. Read about the Dubuque and Cascade Acres consolidation project (PDF).
Tacoma Water—Green River Filtration Project
Tacoma Water provides direct drinking water service to about 316,000 people in the City of Tacoma, and parts of King and Pierce counties. The primary water supply is the Green River, one of the few remaining major unfiltered surface water supplies in the U.S. However, this source won't be unfiltered for much longer. Read about the Green River filtration project (PDF).
City of Vader—Lewis County Takeover
In 2010, the City of Vader was facing an insurmountable crisis. The city had experienced 17 system-wide water outages over the past two years as a result of water main breaks they didn't have the funds to fix. The city voluntarily transferred the ownership of their antiquated water system to Lewis County through a state-brokered receivership agreement. Read about the City of Vader's project (PDF).
Clark Public Utilities—Paradise Point
Clark Public Utilities is working to complete phase one of their multi-phase Paradise Point Water Supply System project. During this phase of the project, they will design and construct a raw water transmission main, backwash line, and two communication conduits from the well field to the water treatment facility. They will also design the water treatment facility and prepare the site for future construction of structures. Read more about the Paradise Point project (PDF).
Lake Wenatchee Water District—Consolidation and Improvement
Beautiful communities deserve beautiful water. In 2006 the Chelan County Commissioners established the Lake Wenatchee Water District as a result of a public referendum. The district was created to integrate the water supply and distribution system and to replace the five private community associations providing water along the north shore of Lake Wenatchee. Read more about Lake Wenatchee's consolidation and improvement project (PDF).
City of Pasco—Columbia Water Supply System
Pasco is a city on the move. City leaders expect the city's population to double by the year 2027, growing to more than 106,000 residents. To meet that growth, Pasco will need to produce 47.7 million gallons a day – about 12 million gallons a day more than current production. Read more about Pasco's Columbia water supply project (PDF).
2018 Update: In 2015, the City of Pasco used a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace an existing intake on the Columbia River. The city treats water from the Columbia River at its membrane filtration plant adjacent to the river, and it needed to replace the existing intake to address seasonal intake clogging due to milfoil, an invasive aquatic plant. Read more about the City of Pasco's project (PDF).
City of Pateros—Water Quality and Supply Improvements
The City of Pateros applied for a DWSRF loan to address existing water quality and quantity issues. Manganese levels in their public water supply exceed the state and federal maximum contaminate levels. The city's water quantity currently meets our minimum capacity requirement but doesn't meet the maximum daily demand for water (identified in their water system plan) or their reliability criteria if the largest source is out of service. Read more about the City of Pateros' project (PDF).
City of Port Townsend—Surface Water Filtration System and Reservoir
When Port Townsend residents turn on their taps, they receive water that has traveled from the Olympic Mountains, through a forest, two rivers, two lakes, and 29 miles of transmission pipe. In 2013, the State Department of Health notified the city that conditions and current watershed management practices were such that the planned UV treatment would not be sufficient without additional watershed protection measures. Based on a qualitative comparison and the relative costs of filtration vs. enhanced watershed protection, the city elected to build a new water filtration plant. Read more about the City of Port Townsend's filtration system and reservoir project (PDF).
Roosevelt Water Association—Building Water System Capacity
The Roosevelt Water Association currently has a single storage water tank that can potentially serve about 125 residences. A pipeline originating in Everett supplies the rest of their water needs. If this pipeline shuts down for any reason, those customers would have no water service. Read more about the Roosevelt Water Association's project (PDF).