a rp*	Funding Stormwater Management with the
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
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,
management, and distribution systems
•	Wetland/riparian/shoreline protection and
restoration
•	Establishment/restoration of urban tree canopy
•	Constructed wetlands
•	Bioretention/bioswales including rain gardens, curb
bump outs, and tree boxes
•	Replacement of gray infrastructure with green
infrastructure
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-interest loans for water quality projects. Funds are
then repaid to the CWSRFs over terms as long as 30
years . Repayments are recycled into the fund to finance
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
projects. 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 laws 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
whether 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 website at:
www.epa.gov/cwsrf
The CWSRF in your state will be able to guide potential
assistance recipients 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
•	Individual or business revenues
CLEAN WATER SUCCESS STORIES
New Jersey
The City of Camden recognized its combined sewer
system 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 loan 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
combined sewer system.
Rain garden in Camden, New Jersey funded by the CWSRF.
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
incorporated three key concepts:
•	permeable project elements that mimic the
natural water cycle,
•	water harvesting, and
•	incorporation of vegetation as part of the
treatment process.
For more information about the CWSRF please contact us at:
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
www.epa.gov/cwsrf

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