Pierce County Invests $10 Million In Sewer, Water Utility Grants

TACOMA, WA — Pierce County has announced a $10 million investment in improving local water utilities and sewer systems.

The money, pulled from the county's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stimulus funding, is being put int a new Sewer and Water Utility Infrastructure Grant Program. As the name implies, it's a brand new grant program that gives money to local governments, tribal governments, nonprofits or co-op water system owners, as long as they use the money on critical utility infrastructure projects which:

• Improve access to clean drinking water.
• Support vital wastewater infrastructure.
• Increase availability of affordable housing.

In total, Pierce County will receive about $175 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. Previous ARPA expenditures from the Pierce County Council included $15 million to address broadband access gaps in rural parts of the county, $5 million to support new businesses through technical assistance grants, and millions more for affordable housing, local food banks, and jobs programs.