Washougal snags $1M federal grant for wastewater plant

The city of Washougal will receive a $1 million federal grant for its wastewater treatment plant anoxic selector project.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced on Friday, Dec. 23, that 14 grants for grassroots projects in Southwest Washington are included in the final version of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which will secure nearly $15 million for the region and “billions in nationwide investments that are likely to benefit Washingtonians,” according to a news release issued by Cantwell’s office.

The $1 million grant will assist the city of Washougal in “improving operations and efficiency at the Washougal wastewater treatment plant through the construction of an anoxic selector,” the news release stated.

The City is currently in the process of designing a biosolids facility that will turn solid waste from its wastewater treatment plant into fertilizer.

“The anoxic selector is the second piece of this project, and will give the City a needed capacity upgrade,” the city’s website states.

The City estimates that the project will cost $11 million.

The Senate passed the Omnibus by a vote of 68-29 and the House passed the Omnibus by a vote of 225-201. The bill is now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

The anoxic selector will “enhance water quality, create a more sustainable water supply, double the capacity of the plant, and provide for the future growth and economic development of the Port of Camas-Washougal and the city of Washougal,” according to a news release.