The Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) with grant funding from the Washington State Department of Ecology, is providing eligible lakefront landowners on Westshore Drive financial assistance to convert their septic systems to city sewer. Many older or failing septic systems have long been a leading source of excess nitrogen and phosphorus entering the lake causing harmful algal blooms. By connecting homes to the municipal sewer system, this project will significantly reduce the transfer of nutrients to the lake.
(Graph by CBCD showing septic systems and surface water impacts.)
CBCD has maximized its grant funds to serve as many landowners on Westshore Drive as possible. CBCD used a ranking process to identify the systems being replaced. The ranking system was based on eight factors:
Basic eligibility
Suitable soils
Septic tank over 10 years old
Overall septic system condition
Septic distance from the lake
Local environmental influences
Potential green improvements (riparian plantings, etc.)
Contractor’s location requirements
During the month of April, sewer pipes known as laterals will be installed under the new Westshore Drive road to be ready for connection to the landowner's homes starting in the fall of 2025.
CBCD is waiting for the final approval of a second DOE grant that will fund the final connections from septic to sewer. Updates will be provided as they become available.
We would like to thank our project partners for assisting with this project: Washington Department of Ecology, The City of Moses Lake, Grant County Public Works, Moses Lake Watershed Council, Columbia Basin Conservation District, and Wheeler Construction.
For more information please contact Ron Sawyer, CBCD’s Conservation Director at:
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