Spring 2026 Application Training, SRF Helene funding information, EBS, etc.

Division of Water Infrastructure Spring 2026 Funding Application Training 

  • Application Training will be conducted in-person on Feb. 23 (Hickory), March 3 (Greenville) and March 4 (Durham/Research Triangle Park)
  • Spring 2026 funding applications must be received by the Division no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2026. (Applications are submitted online.)
  • 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.

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 funding programs, including funding for drinking water and wastewater construction projects, funding to evaluate options to address PFAS contamination, funding to identify and replace lead service lines, and Viable Utility Reserve grants. Additional information related to the various funding programs will also be provided.

 

Schedule and Locations for Spring 2026 Application Training Sessions

RSVP by registering online prior to the desired session. All training sessions contain the same content. 

  • Application materials will be available on the Division website before training begins.

Monday, February 23, 2026, in Hickory, 10 am – 4 pm 

Western Piedmont Council of Governments

1880 2nd Avenue, NW, Hickory, NC 28601

 

Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Greenville, 10 am – 4 pm 

Greenville Utilities Water Treatment Plant

1721 Waterway Road, Greenville, NC 27834

 

Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Research Triangle Park, 10 am – 4 pm 

Central Pines Regional Council (Longleaf Room)

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=mb55fe9c1162cf5434bc37a86d9cbf903 

(Password: NCDWI, Call-In #: 415.655.0003, Access Code: 2426 093 0718).

 

A recording of the training will be available on the Division’s website.

 

Funding Availability for Spring 2026 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 the Viable Utility Reserve. Local government units and non-profit water/wastewater corporations may apply for funding. Investor-owned drinking water utilities may apply for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

  • 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 by project type for Emerging Contaminants and for Lead Service Line Replacement funding.

  • o   Viable Utility Reserve (VUR) projects: Grant funding will 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 for local government units designated as distressed for the following purposes:

  • o   Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) grants: to inventory the existing water and/or wastewater systems of the local government units designated as distressed and document the condition of the inventoried infrastructure.

  • o   Merger/Regionalization Feasibility (MRF) grants: to determine the feasibility of consolidating the management of multiple utilities (including local government units designated as distressed) into a single utility operation or to provide regional water/wastewater treatment, and the best way of carrying out the project.

 

 

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.

 

Sept. 18, 2025 Informational webinar on SRF Hurricane Helene Funds and how to apply for them:

 

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

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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