Funding Boost, Arts Nominations, and Road Work Shape Richland’s Friday
Richland, WA — February 6, 2026 — State funding moves wastewater upgrades forward, arts award nominations open, and crews prep for major intersection work.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades Get State Funding
Richland is moving ahead with long-planned improvements at its wastewater treatment plant after securing $500,000 in state funding. The money will support design work for upgrades to key treatment systems that handle waste solids before water is returned to the environment.
City officials say the project focuses on replacing aging equipment with newer, more efficient technology. Beyond improving reliability, the changes are expected to reduce energy use and lower the risk of unexpected breakdowns that can lead to costly emergency repairs. The full project is estimated at around $11 million, with construction expected after design work is completed.
Arts Commission Opens STAR Award Nominations
The Richland Arts Commission is now accepting nominations for its 2025 STAR Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations that have made meaningful contributions to the local arts scene. Each year, one individual and one organization are honored for their support of arts and culture in the city.
Nominations are open through February 26 and do not require nominees to be Richland residents, as long as their work has had a positive local impact. Award recipients will be formally recognized at a City Council meeting later this spring, continuing a tradition that highlights the role arts play in community life.
Intersection Work Set to Increase Daytime Delays
Drivers in south Richland should prepare for intermittent daytime lane closures as preliminary work continues at the Steptoe and Tapteal intersection. Crews are extending utilities outside the roadway ahead of a major reconstruction project scheduled to ramp up later this spring.
The full project will realign Tapteal Drive, add a new intersection leg for nearby commercial access, and install updated traffic signals and pedestrian improvements. While the most significant disruptions are expected during the main construction phase, city officials are urging drivers to allow extra time and watch for posted detours in the coming weeks.
