*>EPA FACT SHEET Emerging Contaminants Funding Sources Comparison Clean Water State Revolving Fund Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emerging Contaminants Funding (CWSRF EC) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emerging Contaminants Funding (DWSRF EC) Emerging Contaminants Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program Who is eligible for funding? Funding is allocated to states, who then will award the funds to eligible entities. Typically, funds are provided as loans or can be sub awarded. The loan repayments then revolve back into the SRFs. Eligible entities are dependent on the project type and may include municipalities, intermunicipal, interstate, or state agencies; non-profit entities; private, for-profit entities; watershed groups; community groups; homeowner's associations; and individuals. Funding is allocated to states, who then will award the funds to eligible entities. Typically, funds are provided as loans or can be sub awarded. The loan repayments then revolve back into the SRFs. Eligible entities include: • Public or private* community water systems - a community water system is a public water system that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. • Non-profit non-community water systems - a non-profit non-community water system is a public water system that is not a community water system and is owned and operated as a non-profit entity (e.g., a school). The non-profit entity could also be government owned. States apply for funding. Using this funding, states are eligible recipients and administer grants, which are used on behalf of or are sub-awarded to eligible beneficiaries, including: • Public or private community water systems and non-profit non-community water systems that serve small1 and/or disadvantaged2 communities. • Owners of drinking water wells that are not public water systems "private wells" (FY2024)3 * Some states do not fund private systems/private entities. 1 A small community has a population less than 10,000 and insufficient capacity to incur debt to finance a project as defined by Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1459A(c). 2 A disadvantaged community is defined by a State's affordability criteria as established in the State's Drinking Water Safe Revolving Fund program per SDWA Section 1452(d)(3). 3 Congress authorized that the funds appropriated through the FY 2024 appropriation for the EC-SDC programs can be used to he|p benefit private wells for necessary and appropriate activities related to emerging contaminants. This is in addition to existing eligibilities under both the EC-SDC program. Page 1 of 3 ------- What are the financial requirements? States are required to provide funding from this appropriation to eligible entities as forgivable loans, grants, or a combination of both. States may mixthese funds with other CWSRFfunding to create a funding package (i.e., assistance agreement) that may include repayablefinancing. No state match required. States may use up to 2% of funding to provide technical assistance to small, rural, and Tribal publicly-owned treatment works More information about the distinct requirements of the CWSRF program are available on their website. • States are required to provide funding from this appropriation to eligible entities as forgivable loans, grants, or a combination of both. States may mix these funds with other DWSRF funding to create a funding package (i.e., assistance agreement) that may include repayable financing. • No state match required. • States have the flexibility to take DWSRF set-asides from this appropriation for non- infrastructure support for the state and water systems. The set-asides must be used to administer the grant or serve the primary purpose of this funding (i.e., addressing emerging contaminants). • More information about the distinct requirements of the DWSRF program are available on their website. • Funding will be provided to eligible entities as grant or the State or Territory has the option of performing the project on behalf of the PWS or private well owner. • No state match required. • More information about the EC-SDC grant program is available on their website. What are examples of eligible activities? Any project or activity that meets the criteria for any of the twelve CWSRF eligibilities outlined under section 603(c) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and addresses an identified emerging contaminant4 is eligible. Projects may include, but are not limited to: • Construction of publicly-owned • Water conservation and efficiency treatment works • Watershed pilot projects • Nonpoint source projects • Energy efficiency projects • National estuary program projects • Water reuse projects • Decentralized wastewater treatment • Security measures systems • Planning • Stormwater projects • Technical assistance 4 The CWSRF Emerging Contaminants Fact Sheet refers to emerging contaminants as substances and microorganisms, including manufactured or naturally occurring physical, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials, which are known or anticipated in the environment, that may pose newly identified or re-emerging risks to human health, aquatic life, or the environment. Page 2 of 3 ------- Eligible projects must have the primary purpose of addressing emerging contaminants5, with prioritization on projects addressing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Projects may include, but are not limited to • Drinking water treatment • Creation of new water systems • Drinking water transmission and • Planning and design distribution • Purchase of water rights (in certain • Drinking water sources circumstances) • Storage • Technical assistance • Consolidation of water systems Eligible projects must have the primary purpose of addressing emerging contaminants5, with prioritization on projects addressing perfluo roalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Projects may include, but are not limited to: • Research and testing • Creation of new systems • Planning and design • Providing households access to drinking • Drinking water treatment water services • Drinking water sources • Technical assistance • Storage • Public communication, engagement, and • Consolidation of water systems education What are examples of ineligible activities? • Projects that have not already identified the emerging contaminant(s) to be addressed • Operations and maintenance costs • Routine compliance monitoring and testing • Projects that have received assistance from the national set-aside for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages under the SDWA section 1452(i) Projects whose primary purpose is not to address emerging contaminants Operations and maintenance costs Routine or compliance monitoring and testing Projects that have received assistance from the national set-aside for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages under the SDWA section 1452(i) Projects whose primary purpose is not to address emerging contaminants Operations and maintenance costs Lead service line replacement Replacement of premise plumbing Construction or rehabilitation of dams or reservoirs, except for finished water reservoirs and those reservoirs that are part of the treatment process and on-site where treatment facility is located Activities needed primarily for fire protection or future population growth Activities that have received assistance from the Tribal allotment for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages Unallowable costs (e.g., lobbying, alcoholic beverages) under 2 CFR 200 Subpart E 5 For the purposes of the EC-SDC and DSWRF programs, emerging contaminants refer to any chemical on EPA's Candidate Contaminant Lists, such as perchlorate, manganese, and 1-4 dioxane. Office of Water (4606) EPA-810-F-24-044 November 2024 ------- |