Summary

The projects were selected based on recommendations from the Metropolitan Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee (MWPAAC)—a panel that advises the King County Council and Executive on matters related to water pollution abatement – that projects benefit water quality and ratepayers within the Wastewater Treatment Division’s service area.

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council approved the funding of 27 projects designed to improve water quality throughout the region.

“The projects we are funding today are crucial to improving water quality throughout the county with innovative and diverse methods,” said Council Vice Chair Joe McDermott. “These projects will help clean up contaminated rivers and beaches, while bringing communities together, and in some cases, training folks for future jobs.”

“Water quality plays a vital role in our region, and teaching future generations its importance will help us be good stewards to our local water systems,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “I am pleased to provide the City of Federal Way funds to provide an educational program implemented in several classrooms.”

When adopted by the County in 1998, the Regional Wastewater Services Plan (RWSP) included a financial policy that specified the allowable use of up to one and one-half percent of the annual Wastewater Treatment Division’s operating budget for the purpose of “water quality improvement activities, programs and projects.” As part of the adopted 2015-2016 Biennial Budget, the Council approved funds for non-sewage treatment related water quality improvement activities, programs and projects.

The funds were available to governments, agencies and programs throughout King County. The projects were selected based on recommendations from the Metropolitan Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee (MWPAAC)—a panel that advises the King County Council and Executive on matters related to water pollution abatement – that projects benefit water quality and ratepayers within the Wastewater Treatment Division’s service area.

“The Waterworks Program continues our efforts to advance the mission started by Jim Ellis and King County voters in 1958 to clean up our streams, rivers and lakes. The grants approved today make critical investments in community-based water quality monitoring and clean-up efforts, including advanced technologies and methods to identity and abate water pollution,” said Councilmember Rod Dembowski. “They exemplify the best in regional problem-solving, as envisioned by Metro's founders. I'm excited to see the results of these investments.”

“Improving water quality is good for both King County residents and the environment,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “I am excited to see the results of the projects funded by these grants.”

The projects receiving funding include a number of water quality improvement activities ranging from riparian restoration along river banks to cool the waters used by endangered species, to replacement or installation of stormwater management infrastructure to prevent silting and pollution of local creeks and rivers, to testing and source identification of bacterial (possible sewage) contamination of streams, to job training which includes maintenance of green infrastructure projects (that clean surface water) across the Duwamish Valley.