The Stormwater Strategic Initiative will be releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) on July 15, providing funding of up to $1 million to remove contaminants of emerging concern from wastewater, helping protect salmon, orca, and human health.

Edited 7/15/24: This RFP is now open! Find the solicitation and application materials here.

This upcoming RFP will provide funding opportunities of up to $1 million to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in wastewater through new and innovative treatment technologies. Previous studies have shown that wastewater is a major source of CECs in aquatic species, including salmon and orcas, with likely impacts to human health as well. Because of these concerns, this topic was identified as a top priority for investment by practitioners at the Visioning the Future of Wastewater workshops hosted by the Stormwater SIL in 2023.  

A successful proposal will address CEC issues in wastewater through new or innovative wastewater or pretreatment technologies. This can include fundamental research, piloting a new technology, installation, or a combination of the three.  

There is no one size fits all approach to addressing CECs in wastewater, and CEC pollution can be highly specific to a location. We encourage applicants to tailor their proposal to address to their unique issues. Eligible applicants include: 

• Academia and research groups 
• Private sector companies 
• Local governments and other public entities 
• Tribes 
• Consulting firms in partnership with a public or nonprofit organization 

Ecology will also work with interested parties to help facilitate building a consortium that can properly address their issues. When the RFP is released, we will be hosting an open house for anyone interested in participating in a coalition or adding their expertise to a project (date to be announced). We strongly encourage interested applicants to attend and to contact the Stormwater SIL for help preparing an excellent application.

Why Is This Important?

Wastewater treatment plants are originally designed to remove pathogens and reduce nutrients from effluent. However, wastewater also contains CECs from medications, cosmetics, cleaners, aerosols, and chemicals found in everyday materials like building materials and clothing, which are often not removed by traditional treatment methods in most wastewater treatment facilities. When these contaminants enter streams or Puget Sound in wastewater effluent, they can make their way into the aquatic food web, harming salmon, orcas, humans, and other species. Based on the recommendations from the Visioning the Future of Wastewater workshop, the Stormwater SIL Advisory Team identified CEC removal from wastewater as a high priority topic to address under the Toxics in Fish Implementation Strategy. This investment can take meaningful steps in addressing CECs in wastewater effluent, providing cleaner water in the project area, and provide a path forward for other wastewater treatment plants and municipalities to build on in future efforts.