FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 27, 2003
OLYMPIA - New wastewater treatment plants are now on line in Wilkeson and Onalaska, allowing the state to lift its sewer-connection ban in the two communities.
The bans were ordered by the state Department of Ecology to protect water quality. They had been in effect since 1996 for Wilkeson, and since 1998 for Onalaska.
New hook-ups were barred in both towns because the aging wastewater treatment systems did not have the capacity to handle additional sewage.
Overloading a sewer treatment plant can cause incomplete treatment or overflows that can pollute nearby waters.
"Replacing aging sewer systems and treatment plants is a difficult and costly proposition for any small town," said Kelly Susewind, a manager in Ecology's water quality program. "It's been a long haul for both communities and we are very proud of their progress."
Since 1997, Ecology has provided $1.7 million in grants and loans to help pay for the Wilkeson treatment plant and collection system. In 2000, the department gave $1 million in grants and loans to Lewis County Water District No. 2 for the Onalaska plant.
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