This survey is conducted on an annual basis by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division. The survey is used to identify water and sewer infrastructure improvements, as well as stormwater and non-point source needs, that are eligible for funding through the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) and Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (WPCRF) grants and loans programs. All municipalities, counties, districts, public water systems, not-for-profit water systems and other special districts that own or operate public water, sewer, or stormwater systems in the State of Colorado are encouraged to participate.
The survey will remain open from June 1st through the submittal deadline of June 30th.
Resources:
- The Division’s SRF website: DWRF and WPCRF program details, survey instructions and other useful information regarding the annual survey.
- After reviewing the division website create a profile on the Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS) portal and begin your SRF Eligibility Survey
- Opt into the division’s notification service to receive timely information about SRF and other funding opportunities available through both State and Federal sources.
- If you have questions or require any assistance with the CEOS portal or the eligibility surveys, contact the Grants and Loans Unit at CDPHE_grantsandloans@state.co.us or Erick Worker at erick.worker@state.co.us.
Important:
- Entities must submit an eligibility survey and be on the Eligibility List to be eligible for funding.
- Entities currently identified on the existing 2022 DWRF and WPCRF Appendix A - Project Eligibility Lists, are eligible to receive BIL funding in 2022 for the water and sewer infrastructure needs listed. See below for more information regarding BIL funding.
- Entities not on the current project eligibility lists will need to complete and submit the eligibility survey through the CEOS portal no later than June 30, 2022, to be added to the 2023 project eligibility lists for BIL funding.
- The surveys have been updated to include sections regarding lead service line replacement needs and emerging contaminants treatment needs. Please remember to complete those sections if you have a funding need for those projects.
Eligible projects can secure competitive, low interest loans with repayment terms of up to 30 years. Completion of a survey is the first simple step towards obtaining funding. It is not an application and it does not obligate an entity to apply for financial assistance; however, identifying capital improvement needs through the Eligibility Survey is a required prerequisite of securing funding offered through the DWRF and WPCRF programs. Loans and grants cannot be extended to applicants who have not responded to this important survey.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), previously referred to as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was signed into law on November 15, 2021. The BIL invests more than $50 billion nationally over the next five years in EPA water infrastructure programs including the SRF. Colorado’s first year allotment for the DWRF and WPCRF programs totals approximately $121 million.
BIL funding will be issued as both loans and additional subsidization in the form of principal forgiveness. Entities seeking BIL funding must be eligible under the existing DWRF and WPCRF programs. Additional subsidization is available to eligible entities that meet the BIL Principal Forgiveness Eligibility Criteria described in the proposed addendum to the 2022 Intended Use Plan. BIL also offers dedicated funding to replace lead service lines and emerging contaminants such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
➽ Erick Worker, Project Manager, Water Quality Control Division, Grants and Loans Unit
