Tumwater City Council approves $120,000 grant agreement for stormwater projects 

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff to sign an agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology for a $120,000 grant to support stormwater-related projects.

The city council made the decision at a meeting on Feb. 3. 

The Department of Ecology provides the grant on a noncompetitive, biennial basis to help local agencies comply with requirements under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The program regulates how stormwater and other wastewater are discharged into federal bodies of water. 

According to documents prepared for the meeting, the city plans to use the money to purchase a hydraulic model for outreach and educational activities, as well as additional filters for treatment systems that will have to be replaced over the next two years. 

City staffers also plan to use the money to provide hands-on spill response training, which will include instruction on the use of equipment, such as absorbent pads, booms and drain covers. 

Leftover money will be used to purchase instruments for measuring water quality and quantity, along with other budgeted supplies and training. 

The Tumwater Public Works Committee reviewed and recommended the agreement for approval at a meeting on Jan. 22.

At that meeting, Water Resources Specialist Dave Kangiser noted the grant has been active since July 2025, making the city council’s approval retroactive.