Which Funding Is Right for Your Drinking Water or Wastewater Utility?
Thanks for using the "Which Funding Is Right for You?" quick screening process. For more detailed information on federal disaster funding programs, refer to the Federal Disaster Funding Programs Web page.
Please select one of the following that best describes your water/wastewater utility:
- Public Water/Wastewater Utility - any facility owned by a state or local government that performs services related to water supply, sewage collection and treatment.
- Private Non-Profit Water/Wastewater Utility - any non-governmental organization that currently has tax exemption status under sections 501(c), (d) or (e) of the Internal Revenue Code or evidence from the state that the organization is a non-profit organized or doing business under state law and performs services related to water supply, sewage collection and treatment.
- Private For-Profit Water/Wastewater Utility - any non-governmental organization that performs services related to water supply, sewage collection and treatment, but is NOT granted tax exemption from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or state. A private for profit water utility maybe operated as any of the following business models: Sole trader, Partnership (either limited or unlimited liability), Private Limited Company / LTD-limited liability or Public Limited Company.
Public Water/Wastewater Utilities
If you are interested in learning about funding opportunities to repair damage to your utility from a significant incident such as a Presidentially-Declared Disaster:
Consider the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Grant (PA) Program when there is a presidentially-declared disaster.
- Determine if a Presidential Disaster Declaration includes your jurisdiction
- Attend an applicant briefing with FEMA (contact your state to determine location and timing)
- Complete a Request for Public Assistance Form within 30 days of a declaration to be eligible for FEMA funds
- See the FEMA PA Program topic in Fed FUNDS or go directly to the FEMA PA website
- Check out Lessons Learned from Water and Wastewater Utilities that Participated in FEMA's PA Grant Program
If you are interested in funding for mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages
FEMA has Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants to help communities become resilient. They fund mitigation projects before a disaster occurs (pre-disaster) or after a disaster to prevent future damage (post-disaster). Consider these grants:
| FEMA Program* | Description |
|---|---|
| Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program. | Provides grants to repair damage after a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Also, may be used to upgrade damaged parts of a facility to mitigate impact from future disasters (e.g., raise replaced equipment above flood levels). |
| Hazard Mitigation Grant Program | Provides grants for long-term hazard mitigation measures after a Presidential Disaster Declaration. During reconstruction, may be used to upgrade undamaged parts of a facility that remain at risk. |
| Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program | Provides planning grants to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events or annual projects for water utilities. |
| Flood Mitigation Assistance Program | Provides grants to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to facilities that are insured under National Flood Insurance Program. |
*See the table FEMA Grant Programs that Provide Mitigation Funding to compare programs and eligibility requirements. Contact your local government to begin the application process. For more program information, see the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs topic in Fed FUNDS or go directly to the FEMA Mitigation website.
EPA has two State Revolving Funds (SRFs): the Drinking Water SRF and the Clean Water SRF. The SRFs, administered by the states, can support mitigation or post-disaster recovery and rebuilding projects.
Also, EPA administers the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program which can support eligible water and wastewater infrastructure mitigation projects related to drought, energy efficiency, water quality, alternative water supply, and acquisition of property.
If you are a rural utility serving a town with a population of less than 10,000:
- Small, rural utilities may be eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG)
Emergencies
Not limited to drought, earthquake, flood, tornado, hurricane, disease outbreak, or chemical spill or leaks.Funding
Up to $150,000 for distribution line repair or extension
Up to $500,000 for preventing severe decline in water quality (e.g. wells, reservoirs)
- Fiscal Year 2016 funding is available under the USDA ECWAG program. For certain disasters, Congress may create special appropriations to repair and reimburse rural water utilities.
- For more programs, see the USDA ECWAG in Fed FUNDS or go to the USDA website.
Private Non-Profit Water/Wastewater Utilities
If you are interested in learning about funding opportunities to repair damage to your utility from a significant incident such as a Presidentially-Declared Disaster:
Consider the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Grant (PA) Program when there is a presidentially-declared disaster.
- Determine if a Presidential Disaster Declaration includes your jurisdiction
- Attend an applicant briefing with FEMA (contact your state to determine location and timing)
- Complete a Request for Public Assistance Form within 30 days of a Declaration to be eligible for FEMA funds
- See FEMA PA Program topics in Fed FUNDS or go directly to the FEMA PA website
- Check out Lessons Learned from Water/Wastewater Utilities that Participated in FEMA's PA Grant Program
Consider Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster loans to repair damaged facilities when there is a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
- See SBA Program topics in Fed FUNDS or go directly to SBA Disaster Assistance website.
If you are interested in funding for mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages
FEMA has Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants to help communities become resilient. They fund mitigation projects before a disaster occurs (pre-disaster) or after a disaster to prevent future damage (post-disaster). Consider these grants:
| FEMA Program* | Description |
|---|---|
| FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program. | Provides grants to repair damage after a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Also, may upgrade damaged parts of a facility to mitigate impact from future disasters (e.g., raise replaced equipment above flood levels). |
| FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program | Provides grants for long-term hazard mitigation measures after a Declaration. During reconstruction, used to upgrade undamaged parts of a facility that remain at risk. |
| FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program | Provides planning grants to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events or annual projects. |
| FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program | Provides grants to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to facilities that are insured under National Flood Insurance Program. |
*See the table "FEMA Grant Programs that Provide Mitigation Funding" to compare programs and eligibility requirements. Contact your local government to begin the application process. For more program information, see the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs topic in Fed FUNDS or go directly to the FEMA Mitigation website.
EPA has two State Revolving Funds (SRFs): the Drinking Water SRF and the Clean Water SRF. The SRFs, administered by the states, can support mitigation or post-disaster recovery and rebuilding projects.
If you are a rural utility serving a town with a population of less than 10,000:
- Small, rural utilities may be eligible for USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG)
- Emergencies
Not limited to drought, earthquake, flood, tornado, hurricane, disease outbreak, chemical spill or leaks type of emergency
- Funding
Up to $150,000 for distribution line repair or extension
Up to $500,000 for preventing severe decline in water quality (e.g. wells, reservoirs)
- Emergencies
- Fiscal year 2016 funding is available under the USDA ECWAG program. For certain disasters, Congress may create special appropriations to repair and reimburse rural water utilities.
- For more programs, see the USDA ECWAG in Fed FUNDS or go to the USDA website.
Private For-Profit Water/Wastewater Utilities
If you are interested in learning about funding opportunities to repair damage to your utility from a significant incident such as a Presidentially-Declared Disaster:
Consider Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster loans to repair damaged facilities when there is a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
- See SBA Program topics in Fed FUNDS or go directly to SBA Loan website and SBA Loan Applications
If you are interested in funding for mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages
For private for-profit utilities, the local government must apply for mitigation loans on your behalf.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants to help communities become resilient. They fund mitigation projects before a disaster occurs (pre-disaster) or after a disaster to prevent future damage (post-disaster). Consider these grants:
| FEMA Program* | Description |
|---|---|
| FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program. | Provides grants to repair damage after a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Also, may upgrade damaged parts of a facility to mitigate impact from future disasters (e.g., raise replaced equipment above flood levels). |
| FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program | Provides grants for long-term hazard mitigation measures after a Declaration. During reconstruction, used to upgrade undamaged parts of a facility that remain at risk. |
| FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program | Provides planning grants to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events or annual projects. |
| FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program | Provides grants to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to facilities that are insured under National Flood Insurance Program. |
*See the table "FEMA Grant Programs that Provide Mitigation Funding" to compare programs and eligibility requirements. Contact your local government to begin the application process. For more program information, see the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs topic in Fed FUNDS or go directly to the FEMA Mitigation website.
If you are a rural utility serving a town with a population of less than 10,000:
Private for-profit utilities are not eligible for any grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.