PRISTINE Water Initiative
Private Investment for Sustainable Technology and Infrastructure in New and Existing Rural Water Systems in Washington
The story is all too familiar. Many rural water and wastewater systems across Washington are long overdue for major repairs or facility upgrades/replacements. Towns cannot afford to improve these systems without major grant awards and/or low-interest loan assistance, with many communities unable to commit to repaying long-term loans even at discounted rates. With the uncertainty of federal grant availability under the current federal administration and the state’s current budget deficit, new solutions must be found. The resulting damage to the environment, threat of complete system failure and danger to public health require out-of-the-box thinking to solve these problems. It will also require private and philanthropic investment alongside government funding.
The PRISTINE Water Initiative brings together private and philanthropic organizations (banks, CDFIs, credit unions, foundations, and private investment firms) to learn how other communities across the country have successfully funded rural water systems and other public infrastructure projects with private investment vehicles. The group will determine which vehicles work best in Washington state and how these organizations can form partnerships to make these investments a reality.
News
Sharon Miracle
Chris McCord
Two veteran advocates for clean water and community vitality,
Chris McCord and Sharon Miracle, will lead PRISTINE, a Partners
for Rural Washington initiative focusing on securing safe water
and wastewater systems for rural communities throughout the
state.
McCord, a former staff member for the Washington Department of
Commerce, spent the majority of his career working on water
quality and quantity issues in Washington and abroad. Miracle,
president and CEO of the Yakima Valley Community Foundation,
has 30 years of leadership experience in developing funding
strategies to address rural community issues, especially
education, health, civic engagement and community vitality.
“Chris’ and Sharon’s combined experience and knowledge will
accelerate PRWA’s efforts to create private and philanthropic
funding solutions for regional rural water and wastewater
projects,” said Jody Opheim, PRWA executive director. “I am so
appreciative of their willingness to take over the leadership of this
group and keep it moving forward.”