Attendees:
Lisa-Ann Oliver, Flaura’s Acres
Tom Noonan, Flaura’s Acres
Cynthia Fuller, Commerce, Small Communities Initiative Program
Amie Smith, Commerce, Small Communities Initiative
Sewer Project
- Tom sent engineering report, plans and specifications and cost estimate to the Sequim Public Works staff.
- Updated flow numbers to the LOSS drainfield based on the new meter were sent to DOH – numbers are well below maximum threshold.
- Seth Elsen requested that Flauras send engineering, plans and specifications and cost estimates for the sewer replacement to him. It is possible Ecology could fund a design and construction loan with potential hardship, but either the city, county or tribe will need to be the loan applicant.
Posslble Water Project
- Flauras could consider connecting their water system to the City of Sequim at the same time they are doing sewer replacement work. This would result in only displacing road material one time.
- Cost estimate for design of water improvements – $12K
- Department of Health has a 0% interest Planning & Engineering Loan that accepts applications year-round. They also have consolidation grant opportunities.
- Wait to see what opportunities are available through Ecology and then potentially apply for DOH funding for a combined project.
Action Items
- Lisa-Ann emailed county commissioner and got a response back same day. She will follow up with more specifics about asking the county to apply for Ecology funding on behalf of the HOA.
- Cynthia will research the National Estuary Program as a possible funding source for the sewer project.
- A request for an extension of time/renewal of LOSS Permit should be submitted to DOH.
- EPA has a new WaterTA program. https://www.epa.gov/water-infrastructure/closing-americas-wastewater-access-gap
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
May 1, 2024 at 9 am