Application Training

August 10, 2023

Fall 2023 Application Training Session

Applications for the Fall 2023 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and emerging contaminants (PFAS) funding are due by 5:00 p.m. on October 2, 2023.  

Additional Resources

For the Fall 2023 funding round, applications for drinking water and wastewater construction projects will be considered for funding from the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program, the State Revolving Funds, including Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, the State Reserves (pending State appropriations), and the Viable Utility Reserve (pending State appropriations). Local government units and non-profit water/wastewater corporations (and investor-owned drinking water utilities for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund) may apply for funding.

  • The Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure (CDBG-I) program will provide grants to fund projects in areas that meet the U.S. Housing and Urban Development low-to-moderate income threshold (LMI).  It is available to non-entitlement municipalities and counties and offers grants up to $3 million per applicant every three years.

  • The State Revolving Funds (SRFs) will provide low-interest loans (including loans that may be partially forgiven) for drinking water and wastewater projects. In addition to the SRF funds typically available, this round will include the use of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) general supplemental funds, BIL Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) funds, and BIL Lead Service Line Replacement funds. Eligible utilities may apply for up to $25 million in Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loans and up to $35 million in Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans. Limits vary for Emerging Contaminants and for Lead Service Line Replacement funding.

  • State Reserve Program (SRP) construction projects: Pending State appropriations, grant funding may be available for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The latest information on funding availability and limits will be shared during application training.

  • The Viable Utility Reserve (VUR): Pending State appropriations, grant funding may be available to local government units designated as distressed by the State Water Infrastructure Authority and the Local Government Commission to be used for infrastructure and study grants listed in NCGS 159G-32(d). The latest information on funding availability and limits will be shared during application training.

Applications for drinking water and wastewater planning projects will be considered for funding from the State Reserve Program. Grant funding is available to all local government units and non-profit water/wastewater corporations for the following purposes:

  • Asset Inventory and Assessment grants: to inventory the existing water and/or wastewater systems and document the condition of the inventoried infrastructure. 

  • Merger/Regionalization Feasibility grants: to determine the feasibility of consolidating the management of multiple utilities into a single utility operation or to provide regional water/wastewater treatment, and the best way of carrying out the project.

Applications for stormwater planning and stormwater construction projects may be considered from the Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investment (LASII) fund, pending State appropriations. If funds are appropriated, grant funding would be available to cities and counties, and regional Councils of Government and non-profit entities partnering with cities and counties, to improve or create infrastructure for controlling stormwater quantity and quality. Project types include stormwater planning, development and implementation of new stormwater utilities, and stormwater construction projects. The latest information on funding availability and limits will be shared during application training.

Division of Water Infrastructure Funding Programs 

The division provides low-interest loans and grants for local governments and certain other non-profit entities for water infrastructure through the programs listed below.

Contact us if you need assistance determining which program is the best fit for your project needs!

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding