| "In the end, citizens have to pay for any wastewater construction. We're trying to help the smaller communities get those costs lowered any way they can." | |
| Karen Beatty-Lee, Washington Department of Ecology |
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Tackling wastewater problems can be a daunting task for small communities that can't afford the often million dollar price tags of developing or upgrading sewage treatment systems. Using a self-help approach, Washington State is empowering rural communities to address this messy issue using lower-cost solutions.
Through the Washington Department of Ecology's Small Towns Environmental Program (STEP), communities use their own resources—people, materials, and financing—to reduce the cost of wastewater projects. As a partner in the program, the state offers technical, financial, and engineering assistance to help residents plan, design, or construct sewage improvements without having to contract out for services.
"We're trying to lower the costs. That's the bottom line," says Karen Beatty-Lee, STEP coordinator.
They do this, Beatty-Lee explains, by helping STEP communities determine the resources that they do have. "Do they have people in the community who are qualified to do the engineering or surveying? Do they have people who will volunteer to dig trenches, lay pipes, run errands, or provide meals? Does anyone have the equipment they will need? We're looking at everything."
She adds, "In the end, citizens have to pay for any wastewater construction. We're trying to help the smaller communities get those costs lowered any way they can."
Often this means encouraging communities to look into "simpler solutions than what normal engineering firms might come up with. We want them to look and see if there are alternatives," Beatty-Lee says.
She notes one town consultant proposed a wastewater treatment facility that was going to cost nearly $5 million. One of the volunteers helping to lead the community's STEP project researched other options and found a process to meet required water quality standards that would cost only $2 million.
Washington has completed 10 STEP projects since 1996. The program was developed through a partnership with the Rensselaerville Institute of New York, which created the community self-help process.
To take part, communities either apply, or are referred by state water quality engineers from four regional offices. Criteria for project selection include that the communities be small and rural, often with low-income residents.
Because several communities started a STEP project and dropped out, Beatty-Lee says the selection procedure is currently being revamped from a one-step to a two-step application process to better ensure that the entire community is behind the project, and clearly understands the program and the work that is required of them.
"They need to understand up front that it's not easy, and that if they are interested in saving money, it's up to them to do all the legwork," she says.
The state ensures that at least two department staff members attend all community meetings to help identify resources, evaluate wastewater systems, and provide guidance and technical assistance. This assistance might include everything from networking with previous STEP communities and providing or arranging training, to brainstorming on treatment technologies. The state also can offer financial guidance, as well as project grants and loans.
"I think it really has benefited the state," Beatty-Lee says. "Partnerships with small communities are an effective way to protect the environment. I would definitely recommend it to other states."
For more information, contact Karen Beatty-Lee at (360) 407-6549 or kbea461@ecy.wa.gov. You may also point your browser to the home page of the Rensselaerville Institute at www.tricampus.org.
