Each year, the Washington 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 $188 million in 101 projects across the state. One of those projects is in Mason County.
The Hartstene Pointe Water-Sewer District was awarded a $3,770,591 forgivable loan to design a project to rehabilitate existing mains by Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP) lining and replace/relocate a primary sewer main running along a deteriorating bluff overlooking the Puget Sound.
Washington received more federal funding this year than anticipated from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meaning greater support for projects in rural areas. However, the proposed EPA budget for 2026 would cut this funding by more than 90% nationally — greatly reducing the projects in Washington that could be funded in the future. Implementing the Clean Water Act is a cooperative effort with the federal government and continued federal funding for new investments is essential to protecting and restoring clean water.
“Every project we are funding means cleaner water for Washington communities – from nearly a half million dollars to restore aquatic habitat in the Nooksack River to $3.1 million for installing stormwater treatment in Wenatchee. Our grant and loan program supports the goals that communities across Washington share – healthy fish habitat, reliable wastewater infrastructure, and treated stormwater.”
— Casey Sixkiller, Ecology director