Oak Harbor’s leaky pipes and a nonprofit organization that helps house Whidbey residents appeared in the congressional 2023 omnibus spending package and are due to get a total of $4 million in federal help.

The Whidbey projects were among 15 Second District projects for which Rep. Rick Larsen earmarked over $31 million in the package. Earmarked projects will strengthen vital infrastructure; build cleaner, safer and more accessible transportation networks; and improve equity for working families and students, according to a press release from Larsen’s office.

Larsen secured nearly $2 million for the city of Oak Harbor’s inflow and infiltration corrections program, allowing the city to repair leaky mainlines.

The leaks are a major problem for the city and the environment. They allow rainwater to get into the pipes that head to the sewage treatment plant, which leads to big increases in the amount of water going into the plant during wet weather. In February 2020, so much rainwater went into the system that the plant couldn’t keep up and the city was forced to pump untreated sewer water into the harbor.

Oak Harbor Mayor Bob Severns said the program will benefit the entire Puget Sound region and local ratepayers.

“The Wastewater Inflow and Infiltration Correction program will significantly reduce long-term impacts by increasing the capacity to serve future growth in our community while decreasing the costs of treating wastewater,” he said.

Larsen also secured $2 million for Habitat for Humanity of Island County to purchase the space it currently leases for its retail store, warehouse and administrative office, saving the organization more than $10,000 per month in lease fees.

Habitat CEO Orin Kolaitis said he expects the investment will allow the organization to expand its services and increase home construction.

“Providing shelter by selling safe, decent, and affordable homes has been our mission for more than 20 years, and we know well what the impact is when a family is blessed with the stability and security of owning their own home,” he said. “This incredible investment which allows us to purchase our Retail Store, Warehouse and Office building in Oak Harbor will provide our organization that same stability, enabling us to create an even greater impact in our community for many more years.”