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	July 2, 2003 County helps obtain no-interest loan for new Vashon wastewater treatment facilities King County Executive Ron Sims announced today that the county's work with the Vashon Sewer District to secure funds to finance wastewater facilities on the island led to an offer of a no-interest, 20-year loan. The state Department of Ecology plans to loan more than $2.1 million to refinance part of the cost of building wastewater facilities at Beulah Park/Cove and Bunker Trail on the island. "This is great news for public health and ratepayers," Sims said. "Our partnership with the Vashon Sewer District and Department of Ecology in obtaining this loan will reduce long-term costs for our customers while protecting water quality." King County assumed ownership and operation of the Vashon Treatment Plant in November 1999 at the request of the Vashon Sewer District. The sewer district owns and operates local systems that collect sewage and convey it to the treatment plant and the new county treatment system at Beulah Park/Cove. "This new loan will reduce the financial burden on users in the Beulah Park Cove and Bunker Trail communities," said King County Councilmember Dow Constantine, who represents Vashon Island and has been working on the sewer rate problem for more than a year. "Staff analysis shows the average cost to those customers for the wastewater treatment improvements will drop by more than $400 a year." King County worked with the sewer district to design, build and finance the new wastewater facilities. With the new loan, the district can pay off its obligation to the county for the cost of the new local facilities. Final approval and distribution of the loan is scheduled this fall. King County's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 18 cities, 15 sewer districts and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Updated: July 2, 2003 Executive's home Executive's news Executive's site map | E-mail the Executive King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.