Angel says money will help to expand capacity, protect local waterways
Rep. Jan Angel has been notified by the state Department of Ecology that the city of Gig Harbor has received a $1 million state grant for its wastewater treatment plant improvement project.
Angel, R-Port Orchard, says the money was provided through the 2008 supplemental capital budget’s Centennial Clean Water Program which was approved by the Legislature last year.
"This is a very important project for Gig Harbor. The wastewater treatment plant has reached its full capacity. That has prompted city officials to put a moratorium on new construction in Gig Harbor until the plant is expanded," said Angel. "Expansion of the treatment plant would increase capacity by about 50 percent and free up development for commercial and residential properties within the city limits. The improvements would also serve to protect the water quality of Puget Sound, Gig Harbor Bay and Colvos Passage."
Construction on sewer improvements began late last year in Gig Harbor. Angel says under the current plan, the city’s wastewater treatment plant would be expanded from one million gallons a day to 2.4 million. The total cost of the project is $20 million.
"The city of Gig Harbor is working to secure low-interest loans to pay for part of the project, along with an update of sewer connection fees. Federal stimulus dollars are also expected to help. However, it is still short of the funds needed to cover the entire project," noted Angel. "I’ve put in a request for an additional 2.5 million dollars from the state’s capital budget. Hopefully, we can secure funding to keep this project on track."
# # #
For more information, contact: John Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257