The Water Quality Control Division (division) is providing free technical assistance and grants to help eligible public water systems with the service line inventory and lead service line replacement planning process. Additionally, there are low interest loans available for lead service line removal construction costs.
Direct Technical Assistance
Through a competitive bid process, the division has selected WSP, in partnership with Sunrise Engineering, to support water systems serving up to 15,000 persons. Suppliers can request remote support or hands-on assistance, offered at no cost until funding is depleted. The division has selected only one contractor to provide no-cost technical assistance and support to eligible water systems, and under this assistance program it will not reimburse systems for the costs of hiring outside contractors. Suppliers can sign up here to be contacted by WSP.
Technical Assistance Grants
The division has additionally made grant funding available to assist public water systems with the service line inventory and lead service line replacement planning process for those systems who elect to perform work outside of the technical assistance program above. Grants range from $10,000 to $250,000, and cover 90% of the project cost. Applications will be accepted at four upcoming deadlines, beginning October 1, 2023. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first- served basis during each application review period, until funds are depleted. Reimbursements will only be made for expenses incurred after the grant agreement is executed. Smaller water systems are encouraged to make use of the technical assistance provider before applying for grant funding.
Eligible applicants for the grant program include:
- Publicly owned water systems and private not-for-profit public water systems whose service area is between 7,500 persons and 50,000 persons and whose Median Household Income is less than 120% of the State’s Median Household Income.
- Publicly owned water systems and private not-for-profit public water systems whose service area is larger than 50,000 persons, and whose Median Household Income is less than 80% of the State’s Median Household Income.
- Applicants must proceed with work within 30 calendar days of contracting.
For more information on grant funding and application materials, please visit the division’s Water Quality Grants Webpage.
SRF Program Loans for lead service line projects
For public water systems who know they have service lines that require removal and who are interested in construction funding or a combination of inventory work and concurrent removal work, please visit the State Revolving Fund web page for more information. Eligible applicants to the SRF program must have indicated lead service line funding needs on the annual SRF Eligibility Survey.
