Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program
🏛 State Water Resources Control Board (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 10, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for charter schools in California seeking to build new facilities or rehabilitate existing structures. Charter schools must be legally operating or authorized to operate in California. Funding is delivered as 50% grant and 50% low-cost loan.
Applicants must pass CSFA's financial soundness review. Schools must demonstrate organizational and fiscal stability. All projects must be for permanent school facilities serving charter school students.
Geographic scope limited to California. Projects must comply with state facility standards. CSFA and OPSC jointly manage the application and approval process.
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Program description
Eligible Applicants: Any city, town, district, or other public body created under state law, including state agencies A Native American tribal government or an authorized Native American tribal organization having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes or other waste Any designated and approved management agency under Section 208 of the Clean Water Act 501(c)(3)’s and National Estuary Programs Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: Construction of publicly-owned treatment facilities: wastewater treatment, local sewers, sewer interceptors, water reclamation and distribution, stormwater treatment, combined sewers, and landfill leachate treatment. Implementation of nonpoint source (NPS) projects to address pollution associated with: agriculture, forestry, urban areas, marinas, hydromodification, wetlands, and development and implementation of estuary comprehensive conservation and management plans for: San Francisco Bay Morro Bay Santa Monica Bay. Financing Terms: Interest Rate – ½ most recent General Obligation (GO) Bond Rate at time of funding approval Financing Term – up to 30 years or the useful life of the project Financing Amount – No maximum funding limit, but partial funding may be applied in annual CWSRF Intended Use Plan. No maximum disbursement limit! Repayment – Begins 1 year after completion of construction Applicants qualifying as small disadvantaged communities (DACs) or small severely disadvantaged communities (SDACs) may be eligible for grants and/or principal forgiveness. Based on affordability criteria, applicant agencies may qualify for 50%, 75%, or 100% grant up to a maximum grant amount.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Proof of charter school authorization or authorization letter
- Financial statements and fiscal stability documentation
- Project scope and cost estimates
- Facility design plans or rehabilitation specifications
- Organization's bylaws and governance structure
Program contact
- 📧 CleanWaterSRF@waterboards.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-327-9978
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 56 | 29 | 52% |
| 2022-2023 | 19 | 19 | 100% |
| 2023-2024 | 14 | 14 | 100% |
| 2020-2021 | 127 | — | 0% |
| 2021-2022 | 209 | — | 0% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for CSFP funding?
Charter schools authorized to operate in California. You must pass CSFA's financial soundness review to qualify.
What types of projects are funded?
Construction of new school facilities or rehabilitation of existing structures. The funding must support permanent school facilities for charter school operations.
How is the money structured?
CSFP provides 50% as a grant and 50% as a low-cost loan. This hybrid approach reduces the total out-of-pocket cost for schools.
What happens after I apply?
CSFA conducts a financial soundness review. You'll receive preliminary, advance, and final apportionments based on the review outcome.
Is there a deadline?
The program operates on a rolling basis. Funds are available until the $1.4 billion total is depleted. Apply as soon as your project is ready.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start your application only after securing charter school authorization. CSFA will verify your legal operating status early in the process.
- Prepare strong financial documentation showing your school's fiscal stability. This is the key requirement for the soundness review.
- Plan ahead for construction timelines. The application process includes preliminary, advance, and final apportionment stages.
- Work closely with OPSC on facility design and compliance requirements. They ensure projects meet state standards.
- Consider the 50% loan portion in your long-term budget. Understand repayment obligations before committing to a project.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without first obtaining legal charter school authorization. CSFA cannot process applications from unauthorized schools. Financial documentation showing instability or inconsistent operations leads to soundness review failure. Underestimating project costs or timelines and not budgeting for the 50% loan repayment obligation.
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