Email Print   Text Size
Kittitas County Set to Receive Water Clean-up Funding

Posted:

Updated:

ELLENSBURG, Wash--Combine cattle, old septic tanks and water, it's a recipe for pollution.

Cathy Bambrick runs the Kittitas County Health Office.They've  tested the Wilson Creek Basin for years. It's tested positive for high levels of bacteria and caliform or in other words feces.

"Wilson Creek Sub Basin has reached the top of the state list for most contaminated streams," said Bambrick. 

Up until now they've only had enough money to tell people, stay out of the water. But, the state just announced projects to receive a chunk of recovery act funding.

"That essentially doubles the amount of money Washington can share for clean water projects across the state," said Sandy Howard, Washington State Department of Ecology.

Wilson Creek starts north of Ellensburg, flowing through cattle fields and past old farm houses,
running into two sources of pollution animals and humans.

The animals are an obvious source, human contamination can be found underground.

"What we have are some really old septic systems out there some that are older than 1970, which the state regulations have changed greatly since then," said Bambrick.

These septic tanks leak into the ground water and streams. The streams go underground through the city of Ellensburg only to open up at the South end of the city.

Kittitas County Public Health now has $500,000 dollars to fix this problem. They are creating an educational campaign about water pollution. Some money will be used to help homeowners pay for septic upgrades. Public health plans to begin fixing septic tanks by August.

 

You must be logged in to rate this story. Login or register
Comments
Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register
See all comments
Close windowBranding

Kittitas County Set to Receive Water Clean-up Funding

Close window
Yakima News  more>> 
Disability advocate: courthouse parking not up to standards
YAKIMA, Wash. -- If you're disabled and need to park at the Yakima County courthouse can you get out of your car? A disability advocate says the parking spots are not up to standards.
Prevent scalding with Burn Awareness Week
YAKIMA, Wash. -- It's Burn Awareness Week and the Yakima Fire Department wants you to take steps to prevent scalding.
Man shot in the shoulder early Monday morning
YAKIMA, Wash. -- A 24-year-old man was shot early Monday morning in the 300 block of South 6th Street.
Yakima police looking for robbery suspect
Yakima Police are looking for a white or Hispanic man wanted for a Monday morning robbery at an AM/PM on 601 E. Yakima Ave.
Yakima man returns from year serving in Iraq
Private Nick Cooley returned home Sunday, after a year in Iraq, to the applause of a dozen friends and family waiting for him at the Yakima Air Terminal.
Tri-Cities News  more>> 
Denny's slammed with customers for free "Grand Slam" Breakfasts
The line was out the door at Denny's in Kennewick Tuesday.
RSD looks for superintendent
After four months of looking for a Richland Superintendent the school board has narrowed their decision to three finalists.
Memorial for boy killed in bike accident
Last week, Joel Diaz was killed in a tragic bike accident; his funeral and memorial was today.
Levy vs. Lottery for local school districts
School levy ballots are due Tuesday, Feb. 9th. Many districts in the Tri-Cities area are asking voters to replace expiring tax levies.
Family mourns dead after Pasco stabbing
A Kennewick family is in mourning today after a fatal stabbing in Pasco.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 WorldNow and KNDO/KNDU. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.