Applications open to assist communities with drinking water

Earlier this year, the Legislature included funding in the state’s operating budget for the Office of Drinking Water (ODW) to assist with access to safe drinking water for homes and businesses with contaminated individual wells or small water systems. DOH requested the funds because aquifers in Washington are becoming more widely contaminated from both natural and manmade impacts like PFAS, nitrate, and industrial, commercial, or agricultural influences, as well as arsenic and uranium. The new Alternative Drinking Water program supports private water wells and Group B public water suppliers that address regional contamination events.

The program provides opportunities for LHJ, tribal partners, non-profit organizations, and communities to propose funding projects that will help provide safe and reliable drinking water for a short time while state and federal agencies seek long-term solutions through studies and remediation efforts.

Our staff can provide guidance and technical assistance with developing elements of a proposal. We can also be available for consultation on any emerging water quality issues.

We are still developing some elements of the new program, but we are accepting complete applications now. The application is also available on the Drinking Water for Consumers webpage. For applicants with existing contracts with our agency, we may be able to fund approved projects this fiscal year, which extends until June 30, 2024. For applicants without existing DOH contracts, we can begin the contract development process for approved projects and start funding July 1, 2024.

For more information, email odw-adwp@doh.wa.gov.