Freeland Water & Sewer District Works on Feasibility of New Sewer System

The Freeland Water and Sewer District is tasked by the Washington State Growth Management Act wtih developing plans for population growth in Freeland.

In 2011, the funding for a new sewer system for Freeland by means of a Local Improvement District failed to materialize.  In March 2012, the FWSD Board of Commissioners asked its engineer to investigate alternative plans for a sewage treatment plant and water reuse system.  Below is information from the 2011 plan.  As development of a new plan emerges, this page will be updated.

Developing a sewer system for Freeland is designed to meet two primary objectives:
    1) Support planned growth by creating opportunities within Freeland’s urban core.
    2) Create high quality reclaimed water for irrigation and potential groundwater recharge.

As a secondary objective:

    1) Assist Island County Department of Health to correct poorly performing septic systems.

Private/Public Partnership

Building a wastewater system requires a significant investment of time and money, and a private/public funding partnership will be needed.

The District is actively pursuing state and federal funding sources, including the Department of Ecology Water Quality grant/loan programs, Centennial Clean Water Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development.

In addition, property owners who would directly benefit from the development on sewer will eventually need to contribute to the costs of developing and maintaining a sewer and water reuse system. The most likely means of assessing property owners will come from the formation of a Local Improvement District.