Attendees:
Lisa-Ann Oliver, Flaura’s Acres
Tom Noonan, Flaura’s Acres
Allen Cortina, WA Department of Health
Seth Elsen, WA Department of Ecology
Cynthia Fuller, Commerce, Small Communities Initiative Program
Sewer Project
- Discussed outcome of meeting on 4/2/24 with city, county, CDBG and USDA RD.
- USDA RD requires the recipient of funds own the system and with the current scenario, the system would be turned over to the city, so likely not a good fit for funding.
- CDBG might be a “gap” funder if there were costs that another funding program couldn’t fill.
- Ecology might possibly be able to fund the project through Centennial grant, SRF loan, or forgivable principal as a “septic to sewer” project. Seth will explore the possibilities.
- National Estuary Program sometimes has funding opportunities. The HOA’s LOSS system sits adjacent to Bell Creek, which discharges in Sequim Bay.
- The HOA will be reassessing actual flows to the LOSS – previous readings were via a faulty meter.
- DOH can extend the timeline for completion of the collection system improvements as long as Flaura’s can show they are making progress. The request can be made in advance of August 2024.
- EPA has a new WaterTA program. https://www.epa.gov/water-infrastructure/closing-americas-wastewater-access-gap
Action Items
- Lisa-Ann reach out to the county commissioners and the tribe again.
- Cynthia work with Ecology staff to determine if OSS funding could be utilized for the project
Work to Date
- Design work is completed and submitted to City. City will not issue an approval until the permit fee is paid. Permit fee will be paid when funding is obtained for the project.
- United Engineering provided an updated engineer’s estimate. The project cost is $1.9M.
- Connection fees are $11,322 per home, but may be negotiable.
- Decommissioning of the individual tanks is $450/home.
- Sewer fees will be $96/month per household.
Funding
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) General Purpose Grant
- County must apply for funding on behalf of Flaura’s Acres
- Applications are accepted in the spring of each year
- Award is up to $1M in grant funding
- Applicant must demonstrate their residents have a low-to-moderate income (LMI) rate of at least 51% based on HUD LMI data.
- Likes a funding “partner” (other funding source such as USDA RD)
https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/community-development-block-grants/cdbg-general-purpose-grants/
- USDA Rural Development
- Applications accepted year-round.
- Subsidy (grant) based on the applicant’s community median household income.
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program/wa
Talking Points
- Big environmental benefit both to protection of surface waters of the state, but also to area groundwater.
- Protection of local drinking water source by eliminating leaking sewer pipes.
- Project is ready to proceed – design has been completed and cost estimates in hand.
- Supported by community, but a big financial burden on many of the community members
Other
- Testing for PFAS in all Group A water systems must be conducted by December 2025 (Department of Health requirement).
https://doh.wa.gov/data-and-statistical-reports/washington-tracking-network-wtn/pfas - Lead Service Line Inventory required for all Group A water systems by October 16, 2024 (Department of Health requirement).
https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/331-711.pdf
Next Meeting
April 16, 2024 at 9 am