Clean Water State Revolving Fund
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program offers low-cost financing for a wide variety of water quality projects. The program has significant financial assets and is capable of financing projects from < $1 million to > $100 million. It is our vision to maintain abundant clean water for human uses and environmental protection to sustain California's future.
Who can apply?
Depending on the type of project, eligible applicants can include:
- Public agencies
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Private entities
- Federally recognized Tribes
- State Tribes on the Native American Commission consult list
Eligible Projects
- Publicly-owned treatment works
- Nonpoint source projects (agriculture, forestry, urban, marinas/recreational boating, hydromodification, wetlands/riparian areas/vegetated treatment systems)
- National estuary program projects
- Decentralized wastewater treatment systems
- Stormwater projects
- Water conservation
- Watershed projects
- Energy conservation
- Water reuse projects
- Security measures at publicly-owned treatment works
- Technical assistance
How to Apply
Additional Resources
Online Training: How California Decision-Makers in Small, Rural and Tribal Communities Can Finance Wastewater Projects & Build Community Trust
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans are an important source of low-cost financing for wastewater infrastructure investments. Yet, many small wastewater systems across the country have not accessed this financing to make needed upgrades to their systems. To take advantage of the CWSRF and WIFIA program, these small systems need assistance navigating the sometimes-daunting process of preparing and applying for these loans. This training series is specifically tailored with these small systems in mind.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program finances infrastructure improvements to mitigate drinking water risks and support the human right to water. The DWSRF Program generally prioritizes projects that (1) address the most serious human health risks and (2) are necessary to comply with federal SDWA requirements and (3) assist public water systems most in need on a per household basis.
Who can apply?
- Publicly owned community water systems (e.g., counties, cities, districts)
- Privately-owned community water systems (e.g., for-profit water utilities, non-profit mutual water companies)
- Non-profit or publicly owned non-community water systems (e.g., public school districts)
- Community water systems created by the DWSRF project
Eligible Project Types
- Treatment systems
- Distribution systems
- Interconnections
- Consolidations
- Pipeline extensions
- Water sources
- Water meters
- Water storage
Resources
Expedited Drinking Water Grant Program
This program provides an expedited process by which applicants with qualifying high priority projects can receive grant/Principal Forgiveness (PF) funding. Application forms, reviews, procedures, and requirements may vary from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) funding program to the extent authorized by the Deputy Director of the Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) or designee to support reduction of processing times and information submittal requirements. Applicants that do not qualify for this program may be directed to apply for funding through the process established in the Policy for Implementing the DWSRF (DWSRF Policy) and the DWSRF Intended Use Plan (IUP), or through other funding programs.
Who can apply?
- Community water systems owned by public agencies, e.g., cities, counties, special districts, Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs), or other political subdivisions of the state;
- Community water systems owned by public utilities (as defined in Public Utilities Code §216) incorporated in California and in good standing with the Secretary of State that are subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC);
- Community water systems owned by mutual water companies that are organized and operating in accordance with California law and in good standing with the Secretary of State; or
- Non-transient, noncommunity water systems owned by public school districts
Eligible Projects
- Must be eligible for grant/PF funding according to the DWSRF Policy and the DWSRF IUP, except as modified herein;
- Must consist of the construction of capital assets, as defined in Government Code §16727(a);
- Must not be comprised solely of the planning activities associated with an eventual construction project; and
- Projects proposed by a public utility shall have a clear and definite public purpose and shall benefit the customers of the water system and not the investors.
How to Apply
DFA is not currently accepting new applications for funding under the EDWG Program. For the initial round(s) of funding, DFA staff are identifying projects for which DFA has already received partial or complete DWSRF program applications, or that are receiving technical assistance, that qualify under the EDWG Guidelines, and selecting preliminary funding award recipients from these existing applicants. Thereafter, subject to availability, DFA will periodically announce a deadline to submit project proposals for consideration. Applications are submitted using the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST).
For the most current and complete information, please visit the Expedited Drinking Water grant webpage.
Contact
Small Community Funding Program
Small Community Funding is available to help small disadvantage communities (small DACs), providing drinking water service to less than 10,000 people or wastewater service to less than 20,000 people and having a median household income (MHI) of less than 80% the statewide MHI, with technical assistance needs, interim water supplies, and implement eligible drinking water or wastewater capital improvement projects.
The Small Community Funding Program continuously accepts applications starting with a simple pre-application:
Pre-Application
The pre-application includes a set of general questions regarding the facility/system, project description, and type of funding/assistance being requested.
Pre-Applications received prior to the 20th of the month will be reviewed and DFA staff contact the applicant by the 10th of the following month (for example pre-applications received by May 20th will be reviewed by DFA staff and the applicant will be contacted by June 10th).
To apply for funding, complete the pre-application online via the Financial Assistance Application Tool (FAAST) Select the RFP, titled “Small Community Funding Program, Pre-Application.
Initial Eligibility Screening
After a pre-application is submitted, DFA staff will conduct an initial eligibility screening for the Small Community Funding Program. Depending on the type of project, DFA staff will direct the applicant to the appropriate funding program.
Applicants appearing to meet the eligibility criteria for a capital improvement project will be invited to submit complete applications (planning or construction).
If the project doesn’t fit under our standard drinking water or wastewater application process (technical assistance, interim water supply, Administrator, etc.), but is still eligible for Small Community Funding, DFA staff will contact the applicant to discuss next steps.
A final eligibility determination will be conducted by DFA staff prior to the applicant receiving funding.
Planning/Construction Applications
DFA utilizes the same application for the Small Community Funding and the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs. Contact the Office of Sustainable Water Solutions at DFA-OSWS@waterboards.ca.gov or (916) 341-5296 for the most recent application forms and instructions.
Contacts
General Inquiries
Telephone: (916) 327-9978
Fax: (916) 341-5296
Office of Sustainable Water Solutions
Email: DFA-OSWS@waterboards.ca.gov
Main webpage: Office of Sustainable Water Solutions | California State Water Resources Control Board
Technical Assistance Funding Program
The Office of Sustainable Water Solutions (OSWS) administers the Technical Assistance (TA) Funding Program. TA is available to help small disadvantaged communities (DACs) develop, fund, and implement eligible drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, or groundwater needs (see the following notes). TA include but is not limited to coordination and development of capital improvement projects, facilitation of operation and maintenance, engineering and environmental analysis, legal assistance, leak detection/water audits, compliance audits, financial analysis, technical managerial and financial (TMF) assessments, and board or operator training.
Notes:
- Small community is defined as having a population less than 10,000 people.
- Disadvantaged community is defined as median household income (MHI) < 80% of the statewide MHI.
- Demand for drinking water/wastewater TA is extremely high. Not all eligible requests can be accommodated through the TA Funding Program. Requests relating to one or more of the following will generally be given priority:
- Systems that are out of compliance or experiencing insufficient water delivery capabilities; Extension of service for drought/contamination impacted communities;
- Consolidation projects;
- Systems serving less than 200 connections; and
- Applicants with small or relatively low cost needs that will enable an otherwise complete funding application to move forward.
- Stormwater TA resources are limited. We are not currently accepting new communities for stormwater TA. However, you may still submit a request if interested, and we will keep your request on file for future consideration as resources allow.
- Exceptions to provide TA that benefits larger DACs may be considered on a case‐by‐case basis
Resources
Request Technical Assistance
Refer general questions regarding Technical Assistance to DFA-TARequest@waterboards.ca.gov
County-wide and Regional Funding Programs
The State Water Board has opened a County-wide and Regional Funding Solicitation for counties or eligible partner entities to receive funding to implement regional programs that address drought-related and/or contamination issues for state small water systems (state smalls) and domestic wells serving disadvantaged communities (DACs) and low-income households.
Counties or eligible partner entities that receive funding will be responsible for managing and implementing the program. The State will reimburse the counties or partner entities for eligible costs incurred related to the implementation and management of these programs.
Eligible Entities
- Counties
- Non-profit agencies
Eligible Project Types
- Assessment
- Community outreach
- Domestic well testing
- Interim Solutions
- Bottled Water
- Tanks and hauled water
- Kiosk filling stations
- Point of Use/Point of Entry (POU/POE) installation and maintenance
- Long-Term Solutions
- Well repairs and/or replacements
- Limited-scale consolidation (such as laterals, above ground interties)
- POU/POE installation and maintenance, in some cases
Workshops
How to Apply
Applications are submitted using the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). The solicitation in FAAST consists of multiple tabs with text boxes, pull down menus, and multiple-choice selections. Applicants will also provide additional information by uploading documents on the Attachments tab.
Eligible applicants should follow the steps below to submit a proposal:
- Review the County-wide and Regional Funding Program Application and Funding Process Overview. This document provides a detailed overview of the funding available, how to apply, and the grant agreement process.
- Navigate to FAAST website
- Create user account (if this is the first time using FAAST)
- Log on by entering your username and password
- Click on Start a New Application
- Read and check boxes for the System Disclosures
- Select appropriate applicant organization
- Choose County-wide/Regional Funding Solicitation from the drop down
- Fill out the requested information on each tab
- Click on the Attachments tab and upload the attachments as appropriate. Please note completed attachments are not required for initial submission, however, they will be required before funding approval can be issued.
- Submit application
The following FAAST resources are available online:
If you need assistance with the FAAST tool, please contact the FAAST Help Desk between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, at 1-866-434-1083 or FAAST_ADMIN@waterboards.ca.gov. All emails should include the subject line "County-wide/Regional Funding Solicitation" and the FAAST Proposal Identification Number (PIN) if known.
Application Resources
Contact
For general questions related to this solicitation or for assistance in developing an application, please contact us at:
Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP)
The mission of the Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) is to promote the beneficial use of treated municipal wastewater (water recycling) in order to augment fresh water supplies in California by providing technical and financial assistance to agencies and other stakeholders in support of water recycling projects and research.
Applicant and project eligibilities may vary based on the funding sources available at the time a project or research is approved for funding. Generally, the availability and limitations for WRFP funding will be described in the CWSRF’s annual Intended Use Plan (IUP), but may also be described in a separate solicitation for applications. Division staff will provide additional application assistance to small disadvantaged communities upon request. Staff may travel to provide one-on-one application assistance.
Apply online with FAAST (Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool). Applications are accepted continuously.
- FAAST How-To Videos
- Planning Grants: Select the “Water Recycling Funding Program - Planning Grant Application” RFP.
- Construction Funding: Select the “the “Water Recycling Funding Program - Construction Application” RFP.
General Program Information
The Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) is administered by the Division of Financial Assistance (Division). It supports the State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board’s) Water Recycling Policy and provides funding for water recycling projects that offset or augment state or local fresh water supplies and water recycling research.
Who is eligible?
- Planning: Only local public agencies are eligible to receive planning grants through this program.
- Construction: Depending on the funding source, eligible applicants may include:
- local public agencies
- federally and non-federally recognized Native American Tribes on the Native American Heritage Commission's list
- public utilities, including private, for-profit water systems that are actively regulated by the CPUC
- mutual water companies
Eligible Projects
Planning:
- Generally, all costs necessary to determine the feasibility of using recycled water and to select an alternative to offset or augment the use of fresh/potable water from state or local supplies may be eligible for the planning grant. The Plan of Study will be used to determine the costs eligible for grant funding.
- Each proposed study must be distinct from previous WRFP grant funded studies. The applicant should confer with Division staff before applying for additional planning grants to ensure that new studies are distinct and eligible.
- A proposed study is not required to be on the CWSRF Fundable List to receive a planning grant.
Construction: The following costs are generally eligible for WRFP funding. The applicant must separate the eligible and ineligible costs in application documents and its disbursement requests, as appropriate.
- Construction of recycled water treatment facilities, storage facilities, pumping facilities, and groundwater recharge facilities.
- Construction of recycled water distribution systems, including onsite improvements.
- Planning, design, construction management, value engineering, and administration directly related to project implementation.
- Development, construction, and monitoring of a pilot-scale or demonstration-scale plant as part of the construction of a full-scale treatment facility project. A pilot-scale or demonstration-scale plant is distinct from the pilot projects described in Section VI of the WRFP Guidelines.
- Reasonable costs to provide an emergency backup water supply for the recycled water system.
- Contingency for change orders approved by the Division for increased costs, provided the costs are eligible and consistent with the original scope of the project.
- The following costs are ineligible for WRFP funding: operation and maintenance costs, project components not included in the application and original scope of the project, and costs previously reimbursed by the State Water Board or other funding sources.
Research: Research costs are eligible to the extent consistent with federal and state authority, requirements established by the State Water Board, and the availability of funding. The applicant must separate the eligible and ineligible costs for disbursement requests or reporting matching funds.
- Specific terms, limitations, and eligibilities for water recycling research grants may also be described in a separate solicitation for proposals.
- Each research effort must be distinct from previous WRFP grant funded research. Research may build on previous WRFP grant funded research, but the scope of the research must be different from the previous research. Applicants and researchers should confer with State Water Board staff before applying for additional research grants to ensure that research proposals are distinct and eligible.
- Research is not required to be on the CWSRF Fundable List to receive a research grant.
- Research is not limited to the uses of recycled water specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, and may include additional forms of reuse, such as onsite reuse, agricultural reuse, industrial reuse, and stormwater capture and use.
- Indirect costs are ineligible for grant funds.
- All travel is subject to the restrictions set forth in Section IX.C of the WRFP Guidelines and the grant agreement.
Pilot Project Grants: The purpose of water recycling pilot project grants is to increase the body of knowledge regarding technologies, processes, or methods to provide recycled water through the innovative application of current and new technologies. Project costs are eligible to the extent consistent with federal and state authority, requirements established by the State Water Board, and the availability of funding. Division staff will determine eligible and ineligible project costs. The applicant must separate the eligible and ineligible costs for disbursement requests or reporting matching funds.
- Specific terms, limitations, and eligibilities for water recycling pilot project grants will generally be described in a separate solicitation for proposals.
- Each pilot project must be distinct from previous WRFP grant funded pilot projects. The applicant should confer with Division staff before applying for additional grants to ensure that the pilot project is distinct and eligible.
- Pilot projects eligible for grant funding are distinct from a pilot-scale or demonstration-scale plant developed as part of the construction of a water recycling treatment facility project.
- Pilot projects are not required to be on the CWSRF Fundable List to receive a grant agreement.
Resources
Contact
Sandeep Kals
Senior Water Resources Control Engineer
(916) 324-8404
wrfp@waterboards.ca.gov
Division of Financial Assistance
Water Recycling Funding Program
State Water Resources Control Board
P.O. Box 944212
Sacramento, CA 94244-2120
Lead Service Line Replacement Funding Program
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) appropriated $15 billion to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nationwide for Lead Service Line Replacement funding. The funding will be allotted to the states over a five-year period. On October 3, 2022, the State Water Board adopted the state fiscal year (FY) 2022-23 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Intended Use Plan (IUP) including the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Supplemental IUP that describes how the first allotment of LSLR funding will be used. The LSLR program provides financial assistance in the form of zero percent interest loans or loan forgiveness funding to California’s water systems to complete Lead Service Line Inventories and Replacements.
Who is eligible?
- Public community water systems
- Privately owned community water systems
- Non-profit non-community water systems
Which projects and project components are eligible?
- Complete removal of lead service lines (public and privately owned portion).
- Removal of lead goosenecks, pigtails, and connectors, whether standalone or connected to a lead service line.
- Replacement of curb stops, curb stop boxes, and other service line appurtenances that are removed as part of a full LSLR.
- Site restoration, including landscaping, sidewalks, driveways, etc. if the removal was necessary to replace the lead service line.
- Permit fees.
- Temporary pitcher filters or point-of-use (POU) devices to reduce lead during or for a short period after replacing the lead service lines.
- Development or updating of lead service line inventories.
- Planning and design for infrastructure projects listed above.
- Non-routine lead sampling as part of a LSLR project.
Any project funded under the LSLR funding program involving the replacement of a lead service line must replace the entire lead service line, not just a portion, unless a portion has already been replaced or is concurrently being replaced with another funding source.
In addition, projects must meet the requirements of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program, including all federal cross-cutting requirements, and be otherwise eligible DWSRF projects.
What funding is available and what are the terms?
The funding terms offered to water systems depend on the community’s disadvantaged status. Water systems serving disadvantaged communities may be eligible for 100 percent (100%) loan forgiveness funding, depending on funding availability, while water systems serving non-disadvantaged communities are eligible for zero percent (0%) interest repayable loans for up to 30 years with the potential, depending on availability, to partially forgive some of the loan at a later date for those portions of the community that are disadvantaged. Please refer to the LSLR Supplemental Intended Use Plan (IUP) for further details.
How to Apply
Applications for this funding program are accepted continuously through the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST).
Contact
For the most complete and current information, please visit Lead Service Line Replacement Funding Program.
Cleanup and Abatement (CAA) Urgent Drinking Water Needs
The CAA is supported by court judgments and administrative civil liabilities assessed by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards). Water code section 13442 authorizes the State Water Board to utilize CAA funds to address an urgent drinking water need. This includes needs due to drought, contamination, or other eligible emergencies.
Who is eligible?
- Public agencies, including Regional Boards
- A tribal government that is on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission and is a disadvantaged community (DAC).
- A not-for-profit organization serving a DAC
- A community water system serving a DAC
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Provision of interim alternate water supplies, such as bottled or hauled water.
- Emergency improvements or repairs to existing water systems as necessary to provide an adequate supply of domestic water. Improvements or repairs will typically only be funded if shown to be a more cost-effective interim solution than provision of interim alternate water supplies. Eligible improvements or repairs include but are not limited to:
- Well rehabilitation or replacement;
- Emergency interties, extension of service, or consolidation projects;
- Treatment systems;
- Rented, borrowed or purchased equipment;
- Design, installation and initial startup costs;
- Certain construction projects that meet all the following criteria:
- Project cost is less than $500,000
- Project will serve a small DAC, primarily low-income households, or a school
- Water system is out of compliance or at-risk and project is urgent in nature
- Addresses an immediate health risk, untreated or at-risk water sources, or chronic compliance or water shortage problems
- Project does not include an extensive planning component or legal complexities and is ready-to-proceed
- Environmental work (California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA]) has been completed or project has been deemed CEQA-exempt
How to Apply
The Deputy Director of the Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) and the Executive Director of the State Water Board are delegated authority to approve up to $500,000 in CAA funds per project, for routine or non-controversial projects. Any non-routine or controversial projects, or CAA approvals exceeding $500,000 per project, will require State Water Board approval.
To apply for funding, applicants have the following options:
- Complete the Urgent Drinking Water Needs Application and submit to DFA-CAA@waterboards.ca.gov. The local DDW District Office can assist public water systems by submitting the application on behalf of a water system.
- Complete the funding application online via the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) (https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov/). Select the RFP titled, "Interim Emergency Drinking Water and Drought Related Drinking Water Funding Application"
Funding Process Overview
Once a complete application is submitted, DFA staff will review and follow up with the applicant regarding any questions. Once all questions have been addressed, DFA staff will prepare and submit a funding recommendation to management. The DFA Deputy Director will review and either approve or deny funding.
If funding is approved, DFA staff will notify the Recipient and provide the start date for costs to be incurred. DFA staff will also work with the Recipient to develop a scope of work for the grant agreement.
Funding is through a reimbursement process. It typically takes several months to develop a grant agreement and reimbursements can only be paid out once a funding agreement has been executed. Once the agreement is executed, the Recipient will submit reimbursement requests and progress reports as the project is implemented.
Contact
For the most current and complete information on this program, please visit CAA Urgent Drinking Water Need Projects.
CAA Cleanup or Abatement Projects
The Cleanup and Abatement Account (CAA) was created by Water Code Sections 13440-13443 to provide grants for the cleanup or abatement of a condition of pollution when there are no viable responsible parties available to undertake the work. The CAA is supported by court judgments and administrative civil liabilities assessed by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards).
Who is eligible?
- Public agencies, including Regional Boards
- A Tribal government that is on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission and is a DAC.
- A not-for-profit organization serving a DAC; or
- A community water system that serves a DAC.
Which projects are eligible?
- The State Board is currently only accepting projects that are Tier 1 – Primary Urgency per its Guidelines:
- Emergency projects that require immediate action to mitigate a significant threat to the environment or a threat to public health and safety where there has been no viable responsible party (RP) identified, or where the viable RP is unwilling or unable to adequately respond to the emergency.
How to Apply
Funding Process Overview
Once a complete application is submitted, the Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) staff will review and follow up with the applicant regarding any questions. Once all questions have been addressed, a funding recommendation will be prepared and submitted to management. The DFA Deputy Director and the Executive Director of the State Water Board are delegated authority to approve up to $500,000 in CAA funds per project, for routine or non-controversial projects. Any non-routine or controversial projects, or CAA approvals exceeding $500,000 per project, will require State Water Board approval.
If funding is approved, DFA staff will notify the Recipient and provide the start date for costs to be incurred. DFA staff will also work with the Recipient to develop a scope of work for the grant agreement.
Funding is through a reimbursement process. It typically takes several months to develop a grant agreement and reimbursements can only be paid out once a funding agreement has been executed. Once the agreement is executed, the Recipient will submit reimbursement requests and progress reports as the project is implemented.
Contact
For the most current and complete information on this program, please visit: CAA Cleanup or Abatement Projects.