Construction Grants for Wastewater Treatment Works
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To assist and serve as an incentive in construction of municipal wastewater treatment works which are required to meet State and/or Federal water quality standards and improve the water quality in the waters of the United States. From fiscal year (FY) 2004 onwards, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia may use up to four percent of the funds appropriated under Title VI for administration and closeout of their construction grant program. Funds will be awarded to assist in construction of municipal wastewater treatment works which are required to meet local and/or federal water quality standards and improve the water quality in the waters of the United States. Annual funding priorities are determined by the municipal water pollution control agency in which the grantee is located. The project must be given priority by the municipal water pollution control agency through its project priority system and recommended for funding for approval by the EPA Regional Office.
Funds will be awarded to assist in construction of municipal wastewater treatment works which are required to meet local and/or federal water quality standards and improve the water quality in the waters of the United States. Annual funding priorities are determined by the municipal water pollution control agency in which the grantee is located. The project must be given priority by the municipal water pollution control agency through its project priority system and recommended for funding for approval by the EPA Regional Office.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- U.S. Territory Government
Funding for this construction grants program is for American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia because they are exempt by the U.S. Congress from establishing a State Revolving Fund (SRF). Grants are awarded to only these territories and the District of Columbia from the SRF funds (Title VI grants), which are awarded as Title II grants. Funding requests for construction of wastewater treatment facilities are now to be made to the SRF representative of the State in which the construction is proposed.
Beneficiaries
- U.S. Territory Government
- Other
Anyone in the general public who is served by a wastewater treatment facility assisted by this program.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Projects considered for award must be approved by the municipal water pollution control agency and also certified by such agency as a priority over any other eligible projects. Awards are made following certification and approval by EPA Regional Offices. Funds authorized by Congress are allotted to recipients in accordance with the Clean Water Act, as amended. Grant awards within individual municipalities are limited by the funds which have been allotted to such municipalities. EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Up to 45 days, for EPA Regional Office action after certification by delegated municipality.
Program details & compliance
Description
Funds are awarded to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia to support construction of municipal wastewater treatment works which are required to meet local and/or federal water quality standards and improve the water quality in the waters of the United States. For additional information, please visit EPA’s Water Infrastructure Funding Assistance for D.C. and U.S. Territories under the Clean Water Act webpage: https://www.epa.gov/small-and-rural-wastewater-systems/water-infrastructure-funding-assistance-dc-and-territories-under
Mission Categories
Primary: Water Pollution Control
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds are used for construction of municipal wastewater treatment works including privately owned individual treatment systems, if a municipality applies on behalf of a number of such systems. Such works may serve all or portions of individual communities, metropolitan areas, or regions. A project may include, but may not be limited to, treatment of industrial wastes. The grantee must require pretreatment of any industrial wastes which would otherwise be detrimental to efficient operation and maintenance, or the grantee must prevent the entry of such waste into the treatment plant. The grantee must have or initiate an acceptable system of user charges. From FY 2004 onwards, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia may use up to four percent of the funds appropriated under Title VI for administration and closeout of their construction grant program. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial).
Required Documentation
1) Certified copy of authorization and assurances from the applicant's governing body. Authorization must be current, and must designate by name and title the individual who will represent the applicant; (2) current description of the project; (3) statement explaining exact nature of local, State, and any other Federal funds which may be used to finance the project; (4) applicant assurance (which is acceptable to the Regional Administrator) that any necessary discharge permit has been or will be obtained in accordance with Section 401, of Public Law 92-500, as amended; (5) conformance with requirements set forth in 40 CFR Part 35; Subpart I. Application may be made for grant assistance for building and erection of the treatment works with an allowance for planning and design costs at the time that the grant for construction is made.
Matching Requirements
This program operates under Section 202 of the Clean Water Act. The Federal grant may be for up to 55 percent for grants awarded after September 30, 1984. The District may lower these percentages with the concurrence of the Regional Administrator pursuant to Section 202(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act as amended by Public Law 100-4. For innovative or alternative treatment processes and techniques referred to in section 201(g)(5), the funding shall be 20 per centum greater than the above approved percentage, but in no event greater than 85 per centum of the cost of construction of the project being funded with the grant. The grantee must assure that they will provide funds for all remaining costs. American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and Virgin Islands will receive the funds allocated up to 100 percent of the cost of construction. The District of Columbia will receive the maximum federal share of 55 percent. The District of Columbia's match will be reduced from 45 percent to 10 percent under the IIJA for FY22 and FY23. Then for FY24 through FY26, it will increase to 20 percent. The cost share requirement will return to 45 percent in the fiscal year 2027 and thereafter.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
Funds are allotted in accordance with Section 205(c)(3) of the Clean Water Act. Subpart Public Law Allotments are determined based on the appropriation and the formulae in the section 205(c)(3).