The Financing Alternatives Comparison Tool (FACT) is a financial analysis tool that helps municipalities, utilities, and environmental organizations identify the most cost-effective method to fund a wastewater or drinking water management project. FACT produces a comprehensive analysis that compares financing options for these projects by incorporating financing, regulatory, and other important costs.

FACT creates several reports showing the results of the analysis. A summary report compares various financing options using key financial figures. Graphical presentations compare annual and total costs of financing options over time.

FACT version 3.1 includes a streamlined analysis option called FACT-Lite. FACT-Lite reduces the amount of information users must enter to compare financing options. 

FACT User Guide

A comprehensive user guide is automatically available as part the installation of FACT. Once FACT is installed, the user guide is accessed by selecting the Help and Definitions button in the top right corner of the homepage. 

Alternatively, you can download the user guide separately, FACT User Guide.

Downloading FACT

You can install FACT v.3.1 onto your computer by downloading the compressed (.zip) file below. See EPA's page on Free Viewers and Readers to Read and Print EPA Information to learn more about compressed files.

You will need Microsoft Access 2000 or higher to install and use FACT v.3.1. 

If you have Microsoft Access 2000 or higher on your computer:

1. Install FACT by clicking on FACT v.3.1(1 pg, 10 MB)  (ZIP)
2. ​Choose to run the file to install FACT v.3.1 on your computer.

If you do not have Microsoft Access 2000 or higher on your computer:

1. Install Access Runtime by clicking on AccessRuntime(1 pg, 36 MB)  (EXE)
2. Install FACT by clicking on FACT v.3.1(1 pg, 10 MB)  (ZIP)
3. Choose to run the file to install FACT v.3.1 on your computer.

After installing FACT, an icon named FACT will appear on your desktop that you can click to run the program.