Emerging Contaminants / PFAS Funding
Expected Funding Round Deadlines for Rolling Applications in 2025 for Emerging Contaminants Study Projects (and LSLR Projects)
Due Date: Jan. 10, 2025 (Approximate State Water Infrastructure Meeting Award Date: Feb. 19, 2025)
Due Date: March 3, 2025 (Approximate State Water Infrastructure Authority Meeting Award Date: April 16-17, 2025)
Due Date: June 2, 2025 (Approximate State Water Infrastructure Authority Meeting Award Date: July 16-17, 2025)
Due Date: Aug. 1, 2025 (Approximate State Water Infrastructure Authority Meeting Award Date: Sept. 17, 2025)dy
Due Date: Nov. 3, 2025 (Approximate State Water Infrastructure Authority Meeting Award Date: Dec. 10, 2025)
Division of Water Infrastructure Emerging Contaminants / PFAS Funding
Next Emerging Contaminant (EC) study project application due date: Jan. 10, 2025
(EC Construction Project Applications are submitted during regular Division funding rounds in Spring and Fall- see the Application Forms page.)
Application for Emerging Contaminant (EC) Study Project Funding:
EC-LSLR Rolling Application (the same application is used for EC (study) and LSLR projects)
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure is offering Emerging Contaminants funding, available to local government units, non-profit water corporations and investor-owned drinking water companies for planning or construction projects addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in water or wastewater systems. DEQ is utilizing federal funding to help public water systems address PFAS in advance of the EPA’s proposed National Drinking Water Regulation.
Funding is available to assist eligible drinking water systems in planning how to address PFAS contamination. Planning can be in the form of assessment studies, pilot testing treatment technologies, design and alternatives analysis for future construction projects, pre-construction planning projects, etc., following the guidance of the Division of Water Resources’ Public Water Supply Section. Funding is also available to assist eligible applicants with construction projects to address PFAS contamination.
Applications will be scored based on the established Priority Rating System.
PFAS Funding Informational Webinar (8/31/23)
- Webinar PowerPoint Presentation on EC PFAS Funding- DEQ Division of Water Infrastructure
- Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Aug. 31 Webinar PowerPoint Presentation
Related EPA links
- (BIL DWSRF-EC and BIL CWSRF-EC) BIL State Revolving Funds Implementation Memorandum
- (BIL EC-SDC) Emerging Contaminants (EC) in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant (SDC)
Additional Funding and Application Information
This program can fund construction projects or planning projects addressing any Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water and wastewater systems. Treatment of landfill leachate with PFAS is also eligible for funding. Planning projects involve assessing the options and designing a solution to address PFAS contamination in drinking water/wastewater. Construction projects include adding treatment to drinking water/wastewater/landfill leachate, and/or developing alternative sources for drinking water.
Any local government unit (LGU) or non-profit water/wastewater corporation that provides water or wastewater service may apply for this funding.
LGUs include counties, cities, towns, sanitary districts, water and sewer authorities, etc.
In addition, investor-owned drinking water utilities regulated by the Utilities Commission are eligible for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and publicly-owned landfills are eligible for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund - Emerging Contaminants funding.
All BIL DWSRF-EC and BIL CWSRF-EC funds will be 100% Principal Forgiveness.
Other DWSRF and CWSRF funding may be offered in the form of low-interest loans with or without principal forgiveness.
| Expected Funding Round Deadlines for Rolling Applications in 2025 (LSLR & EC Study Projects) | |
| Approximate Application Due Date | Approximate SWIA Meeting (Award Date) |
| January 10, 2025 | February 19, 2025 |
| March 3, 2025 | April 16-17, 2025 |
| June 2, 2025 | July 16-17, 2025 |
| August 1, 2025 | September 17, 2025 |
| November 3, 2025 | December 10, 2025 |
Intended Use Plans (IUPs) and Priority Rating Systems (PRSs) for Emerging Contaminants Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (EC-DWSRF) and Emerging Contaminants Clean Water State Revolving Fund (EC-CWSRF)
- Draft FY2025 IIJA Clean Water SRF - Emerging Contaminants IUP for public comments (February 2025)
- Draft FY2025 IIJA Drinking Water SRF - Emerging Contaminants IUP for public comments (February 2025)
- Amended Project Priority List for BIL Clean Water SRF - Emerging Contaminants
- Amended FY2024 BIL Drinking Water SRF - Emerging Contaminants IUP for public comments (February 2025)
- FY 2024 BIL Drinking Water SRF - Emerging Contaminants IUP (September 2024)
- FY 2024 BIL Clean Water SRF - Emerging Contaminants IUP (September 2024)
- Revised FY2022 and FY2023 BIL Drinking Water SRF - Emerging Contaminants IUP (revised September 2024 )
- Revised FY 2022 and FY 2023 BIL Clean Water SRF - Emerging Contaminants IUP (revised June 30, 2024)
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority PowerPoint Presentation
(From 8/31/23 Division of Water Infrastructure webinar about Emerging Contaminants / PFAS Funding)
DEQ Public Water Supply (PWS) Section Information
For more information on the Public Water Supply rules governing pilot studies, see 15A NCAC 18C .0714 or contact PWS staff.
More detailed information on requirements for emerging contaminant treatment will be relayed as more guidance comes from federal partners.
