Funding Stormwater Management Projects with the
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
oEPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean
Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a low-interest
source of funding for stormwater management projects.
Stormwater runoff results from precipitation events, such
as rainfall and snowmelt. During these events, runoff
from impervious surfaces can introduce trash, bacteria,
heavy metals, and other pollutants to receiving waters. In
cities with combined sewer systems, high stormwater
flows can also result in the direct discharge of untreated
sewage. Thanks to their considerable funding flexibility,
CWSRF programs are well-positioned to help address
these issues. Eligible stormwater management projects
for CWSRF funding include:
•	Traditional stormwater conveyance pipe, storage,
and treatment systems
•	Sediment controls including filter fences, storm drain
inlet protection, street sweepers, and vacuum trucks
•	Green roofs
•	Permeable pavement
•	Infiltration basins
•	Rainwater harvesting collection, storage, manage-
ment, and distribution systems
•	Wetland/riparian/shoreline protection and restora-
tion
•	Establishment/restoration of urban tree canopy
•	Constructed wetlands
HOW THE CWSRF WORKS
CWSRF programs in each state and Puerto Rico operate
like banks. Federal and state contributions are used to
capitalize the programs. These assets are used to make
low- or no-interest loans for important water quality pro-
jects. Funds are then repaid to the CWSRFs over terms as
long as 30 years and are recycled to fund other water
quality and public health projects.
WHO MAY QUALIFY
The CWSRF may provide assistance to any public, private
or non-profit entity for stormwater management pro-
jects. Eligible loan recipients include community groups,
farmers, homeowners, small businesses, conservation
districts, and nonprofit organizations. Since the program
is managed by the states, project funding and eligibility
requirements vary according to the priorities, policies,
and iaws within each state.
GETTING A PROJECT FUNDED
The EPA encourages states to open their CWSRFs to the
widest variety of eligible water quality and public health
projects. Those interested in stormwater management
should seek out their CWSRF program, determine wheth-
er their state CWSRF has the legal authority to make
loans for these projects, and participate in the annual
process that determines which projects are funded. The
list of CWSRF state programs can be found on our web-
site at:
https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/forms/contact-us-about-
clean-water-state-revolving-fund-cwsrf#state
Bioretention/bioswales including rain gardens, curb
bump outs, and tree boxes
Replacement of gray infrastructure with green infra-
structure
The CWSRF in your state will be able to guide you
through the application process.

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SOURCES OF LOAN REPAYMENT
Potential borrowers must identify a repayment source before
a loan is approved. Though finding a source of repayment may
prove challenging, it does not have to be burdensome. Many
recipients demonstrate a high level of creativity in developing
sources of repayment. The source of repayment need not
come from the project itself.
Some potential repayment sources include:
•	Stormwater utility fees
•	Fees paid by developers
•	Recreational fees (fishing licenses, entrance fees)
•	Dedicated portions of local, county, or state taxes or fees
•	Donations or dues made to nonprofit organizations
•	Wastewater user charges
Rain garden in Camden, New Jersey funded by the CWSRF
The City of Camden recognized its combined sewer sys-
tem was in a state of disrepair; it was prone to combined
sewage flooding into the homes, streets and parks of the
city. The Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority
received a $2 million grant and a $3.6 million low-interest
ioan from the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure
Trust, New Jersey's SRF agency, to capture 100 million
gallons of stormwater per year and reduce the potential
for flooding by:
•	constructing 17 new rain gardens and daylighting a
stream that had been paved over in the 1920s,
•	converting an abandoned factory into a 5.5-acre
riverfront park, and
•	replacing several failing portions of the city's com-
bined sewer system.
For more information about the CWSRF please contact us at:
CLEAN WATER SUCCESS STORIES
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Branch
Office of Water, Office of Wastewater Management
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (Mailcode 4204M)
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 832F16008
JULY 2016
https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf
NEWJERSEY
NEW MEXICO
The Lower Montoyas area of New Mexico has a large
scale regional flood control facility that completed a
successful green infrastructure project in September
2015. Located at the downstream end of the largest
watershed within Southern Sandoval County Arroyo
Flood Control Authority jurisdiction, this facility was
designed to handle flows of up to 6,500 cubic feet per
second during the 100-year-storm event. This project
was funded by the New Mexico CWSRF and incorpo-
rated three key concepts:
•	permeable project elements that mimic the natu-
ral water cycle,
•	water harvesting, and
•	incorporation of vegetation as part of the treat-
ment process.

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