Snohomish County Public Works Awards Inaugural Loan Program Fund to City of Granite Falls
$230,000 to be used on replacement of water main in South Wabash Avenue
between Stanley Street and Union Street
EVERETT, Wash., July 22, 2015 – Snohomish County Public Works is presenting the first loan from its Public Works Assistance Fund Loan (PWAFL) program to the City of Granite Falls. The $230,000 loan is for a project that will provide a long term solution by updating the city’s water infrastructure on South Wabash Avenue from Stanley Street to Union Street with ductile iron pipe. Construction is targeted to begin in the summer of 2016.
“The PWAFL is a great resource to accomplish public works improvements throughout the county,” said Snohomish County Councilman Brian Sullivan, who led the advocacy for the ordinance. “This is the first loan the county is providing and I anticipate more opportunities will be available for other Snohomish government agencies. Because of this program, the City of Granite Falls is able to upgrade one of its water mains thereby improving safety and reliability from failure for fifty years or more.”
"With the award of the PWAFL program loan we have the final piece of funding needed to complete this project, supporting a grant from the Department of Ecology which covers the majority of the cost,” said Brent Kirk, City of Granite Falls Public Works Director. “The availability of a loan program like this opens the door for financing small infrastructure projects throughout Snohomish County. By utilizing the funds to replace the aging water main, we not only ensure the long term integrity of the city’s water system, but are also able to retain reserves in our water utility fund for other future improvements and emergencies."
The loan will be used to replace 840-feet of aging water main with new ductile iron pipe as well as a number of service connections and fire hydrants. The improvements will provide a more reliable water distribution system reducing potential damage to public and private property. By replacing the pipe, the city and ratepayers could potentially save thousands of dollars in repair and cleanup costs. The water main improvements are scheduled to be completed by the Granite Falls Low Impact Development Retrofit Project, which is funded by the Washington Department of Ecology. The PWAFL funds will cover the remaining costs needed to complete the project.
The Infrastructure Coordinating Committee (ICC), a sub-committee of Snohomish County Tomorrow – an inter-jurisdictional forum, reviewed and scored the application. This is the same process used by the ICC for federally funded projects.
The PWAFL was created in 2010 in accordance with an ordinance (Chapter 4.117 SCC) passed by County Council, and State Legislature approved Chapter 36.135 RCW. Additional loan opportunities may be available in the future when funding has been replenished.
About Snohomish County Public Works
The Snohomish County Public Works Department employs approximately 600 staff members that develop and maintain county roads; control and manage surface water quantity, quality and fish habitats; and oversee the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.