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. ------- 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. ------- |