Fall 2025 Application Training, EBS Training and Water & Wastewater Energy Efficiency Training, etc.
Division of Water Infrastructure Fall 2025 Funding Application Training at Six Locations Statewide
Application Training will be conducted in-person on July 29 (Clyde), July 30 (Hickory), July 31 (Boone), August 6 (Fayetteville), August 7 (Winterville) and August 8 (Research Triangle Park/Durham and virtually).
Schedule with locations and times available below, on this page.
Low-interest loans and grant funding are available for drinking water and wastewater projects.
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend training.
There is no cost to register.
- Fall 2025 applications must be received by the Division no later than 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2025.
- Applications are submitted online.
Training will cover information on funding programs, application package completion, Priority Rating Systems, and funding timelines. Training will include instructions on how to apply for multiple existing and new funding programs, including new SRF supplemental funds available to add resilience to infrastructure for Hurricane Helene-impacted communities (SRF Helene), funding to evaluate options to address PFAS contamination, funding to identify and replace lead service lines, and Viable Utility Reserve grants. A primer for utilities designated as Distressed will also be provided. SRF Helene funding will be discussed at the western application training locations and on August 8.
Funding Availability for Fall 2025 Applications
Applications will be considered for the following programs and will be covered in the training sessions:
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 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds and supplemental funds for Hurricane Helene-impacted communities, the State Reserves, and the Viable Utility Reserve. Local government units (LGUs) and non-profit water/wastewater corporations may apply for funding. Investor-owned drinking water utilities may apply for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. CDFIs and non-profit organizations may apply for SRF Helene funding for decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
o 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. CDBG-I is available to non-entitlement municipalities and counties and offers grants up to $3 million per applicant every three years.
o 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 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds, IIJA Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) funds and IIJA 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.
o The SRF Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hawai’i Wildfires (SRF Helene) funding will provide principal forgiveness and zero-interest loans for eligible drinking water, wastewater, and decentralized wastewater treatment systems for Helene-impacted communities. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and do not need to be submitted by the September 30 deadline. Funding is for adding resilience to infrastructure. Application training will provide a primer and instructions on how to apply on July 29, 30, 31, and August 8.
o State Reserve Program (SRP) construction projects: Potentially up to $30 million in grant and up to $30 million in loan funding may be available for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Grant funding will be prioritized for applicants from counties with less than 300,000 population and that were most impacted by Hurricane Helene. Utilities are eligible for up to $3 million every three years for grants, $3 million every three years for loans at targeted interest rates, and $3 million every year for loans at half-market rate.
o Viable Utility Reserve (VUR) projects: Potentially up to $50 million in grant funding may be available for drinking water and wastewater projects that move a local government unit designated as distressed toward viability, per G.S. 159G-32(d). New information on requirements for applying for VUR grants, eligibility, and availability of VUR grant funds will be shared during training.
Applications for drinking water and wastewater planning projects will be considered for grant funding from the VUR and potentially from the SRP for the following purposes:
o Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) grants: to inventory the existing water and/or wastewater systems and document the condition of the inventoried infrastructure. SRP grant limits are $150,000 per system type every three years. Grant limits may change pending legislation.
o Merger/Regionalization Feasibility (MRF) 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. SRP grant limits are $50,000 per system type every three years. Grant limits may change pending legislation.
Schedule and Locations for Fall 2025 Application Training Sessions
RSVP by registering online prior to the desired session. Application materials will be available on the Division website before training begins.
Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Clyde, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Haywood County Community College, Juniper Building Auditorium
125 Sawmill Dr., Clyde, NC 28721
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Hickory, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Western Piedmont Council of Governments
1880 2nd Avenue, NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Boone, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
High Country Council of Governments
468 New Market Blvd., Boone, NC 28607
Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in Fayetteville, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fayetteville Public Works Commission Operations Center
955 Old Wilmington Road, Fayetteville, NC, 28301
Thursday, August 7, 2025, in Winterville, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pitt County Technical Community College, Herman Simon Building, Room 201
2020 Pitt Tech Road, Winterville, NC 28590
Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Research Triangle Park (Durham) and virtually, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Central Pines Regional Council (in Conference Center)
4307 Emperor Boulevard, Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703
A virtual option is also available on this day only. Webex link for online participation:
https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=m5ba9887e666eab74fbba4926fda42f35
(Password: NCDWI, Call-In #: 415.655.0003, Access Code: 2422 725 2342).
WebEx invitations will go out the week of August 4. A recording of the training will be available on the Division’s website.
New DWI Payment Portal (EBS) Training
Recording of April 10, 2025 New DWI Payment Portal (EBS) Training Session
On July 1, 2025, the Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) launched a new portal for loan and grant subrecipients to create and submit payment requests. DWI provided virtual training, via WebEx, on April 10, 2025 for use of the new system.
This training included information on the registration, login process and payment requests. Subrecipients can now submit claims in the EBS grants management system (as of July 1, 2025) and all payment requests received by the Division from that date forward must be submitted via the DWI EBS Portal.
Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency (WWEE) Training Program
Wallace, NC (Tuesdays, Sept. 16-30, 2025)
Dates: September 16, September 23, and September 30, 2025
Location: Wallace Public Works, 838 Old Wilmington Rd, Wallace, NC 28466 (a.k.a. 838 S. Wilmington Rd, Wallace, NC 28466)
Class size limit: 25
Last date to register: Friday, September 12, 2025
WWEE Training Program Registration & Interest Form
Enhance your water and wastewater facility’s energy efficiency with the no-cost Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency (WWEE) Training Program!
The WWEE Training Program is offered by the NC DEQ’s State Energy Office and Division of Water Infrastructure. This expert-led program equips personnel with essential energy management strategies, cost-saving techniques, and practical energy conservation measures.
Through three (3) in-person sessions, attendees will gain practical insights into optimizing energy consumption, improving reliability, and ensuring long-term success. With multiple locations and dates available, plus 12 professional development hours (PDHs), this is a must-attend opportunity for water and wastewater professionals dedicated to improving operations and reducing costs. Secure your spot today and bring your colleagues and neighboring utilities (up to 3 attendees per municipality)!
Program Concept and Overview
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office (SEO) and Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) are partnering to offer a no-cost energy efficiency training program for NC water and wastewater facilities and personnel. The program will be taught by industry experts in conjunction with our contracted training provider, the Institute of Energy Professionals (IEP).
The goals of the program are to introduce water and wastewater personnel to basic concepts of energy management principles (i.e., energy bills, demand, rates, calculations, metrics, basic energy conservation measures or ECMs), followed by focus on energy efficiency opportunities specific to water and/or wastewater treatment plants (i.e., motors/VFDs, process improvements, aeration, etc.).
Additionally, the program focuses on the fact that energy is only one of many challenges a small, rural water and wastewater operator faces. As such, the program focuses not just on energy savings, but also the importance that any ECM reduces expenditures (that can otherwise be used for operations), improves reliability and productivity, and potentially even increases compliance. The program will emphasize both identification and implementation of ECMs unique to each participating system. While the training is designed to identify energy efficiency opportunities for each attendee’s system, it is ultimately intended to empower attendees with the knowledge needed to continually find and implement opportunities for improved energy efficiency at their systems long after the training has concluded.
Attendees are encouraged to invite their local leadership (up to 2 people) to attend lunch and the final hour of class the last day of instruction (12-2 pm on Day 3).
SEO and DWI leadership will be in attendance to discuss funding opportunities, technical assistance, and other opportunities for the attendee’s facilities.
• Course details for three-session Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency (WWEE) Training:
Cost: FREE
Registration and sign-in: 8:00-8:30 AM (first day only)
Training: 8:30 AM-2:00 PM (each of the three days)
Course sessions: Three (3) consecutive weeks, with five (5) hours of in-person instruction one day per week
Professional Development Hours (PDHs): 12
Lunch and light refreshments included
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Is there a cost to attend this training?
No, this program is provided at no cost for all attendees.
• I am interested but cannot attend the sessions listed. When will additional sessions be released?
We are actively working to determine additional dates and locations. We will update the website as details are released. Be sure to sign up for the interest list HERE to be notified about future training sessions.
• Who should attend this program?
Managers and/or operators of wastewater treatment plants, particularly from systems designated as distressed, who are interested in learning more about how energy efficiency can save their system money through low and even no-cost adjustments. (See ‘Who Should Attend?’, above)
• Is lunch included?
Yes, and light break refreshments!
• Do I have to attend all three (3) weeks? What if I miss a day?
Your in-person presence for all three (3) weeks of the program is requested. If you wish to receive PDH/CE credits approved by NC, attendance for the full course is required. Unfortunately, partial credits cannot be issued per NC rules.
Also note that our training partner (IEP) will record (audio and video) one of the full programs for students who have missed a class and wish to make it up. The recordings will be maintained by IEP and provided to attendees on an as-needed basis. They are not intended to be used in-lieu of in-person instruction.
• I am interested in learning more. Where do I go for more information?
Keep an eye on this website for further updates
Be sure to sign up for the interest list HERE as well.
You may also reach out to our training partner, IEP, at +1 (877) 7-THE-IEP.
Please note: This training information is also available on the (DEQ) State Energy Office website.
Workshop on SA-HMW Hurricane Helene Funding (was held May 20-23)
More information: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-need-funding