A new funding opportunity for improving water quality has emerged. Washington State Department of Ecology’s Water Quality Combined Funding program carries the mission of improving and protecting water quality throughout the state. Projects that can be included in the program and receive funding include wastewater, stormwater, nonpoint source activities and on-site sewage systems.
The program includes a new Stormwater Community Based Public Private Partnership (CBP3) funding stream, which allows local Tribes and governments to collaborate with private entities to plan, deliver and maintain stormwater projects. These partnerships are intended to achieve community benefits beyond stormwater improvements and permit compliance through performance-based contracts and alternative procurement. Applications for funding will be accepted between August 13, and October 15, 2024. Up to $3 million in funding for CBP3s will be available to cities and towns, Tribal governments and non-profit organizations.
To provide information on the application process, the Department of Ecology will hold a virtual stormwater applicant training August 15 from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. More information on Stormwater CBP3s is available on the CBP3 Technical Assistance Learning Network Collaboration Site. PSRC’s stormwater guidance lists CBP3s as an innovative approach that can help with staff capacity issues and be applied to stormwater parks and green stormwater infrastructure.