Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Planning
🏛 State Water Resources Control Board (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Nov 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for petroleum underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators in California who need financial assistance for cleanup costs. Small businesses and individuals with leaking USTs can apply. The fund reimburses expenses for releases from petroleum storage tanks and helps meet state and federal financial responsibility requirements.
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Program description
The Division of Financial Assistant (DFA), State Water Board manages the DWSRF program and prioritizes financing for projects that address the most serious human health risks, are necessary to comply with SDWA, and assist public water systems (PWS) most in need on per household basis. Periodically funding programs that help provide clean and safe water are used in combination with the DWSRF program. Eligible small community water systems (SCWS) serving a small disadvantage community (DAC) and small severely disadvantage communities (SDAC), eligible non-transient non-community water systems (NTNC) serving a small DAC or small SDAC, and public water systems (PWS) extending service to small DACs andsmall SDACs may receive the maximum principle forgiveness (PF)/grant of $500,000. Other public water systems may receive loan or partial loan with subsidized interest rate and maximum term for repayable of five or ten years. Planning costs may include the preparation of planning/design documents such as Feasibility studies and project reports, plans and specifications, engineering and specifications, environmental documents, capital improvement plans, etc. Other costs such as legal costs and fees, environmental review, TMF assessments, water rate studies, and test wells are also eligible for funding under planning projects. Applications for the DWSRF program and associated funding are accepted on a continuous basis. After DFA receives a complete application, a detailed technical, environmental, legal, and financial review is conducted to determine the applicant’s eligibility for DWSRF and associated drinking water funding.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Proof of UST ownership or operator status
- Documentation of unauthorized release or confirmed leak
- Detailed cleanup cost estimates or invoices
- Evidence of financial responsibility requirements
- Project plan for remediation work
Program contact
- 📧 DrinkingWaterSRF@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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | 98 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021-2022 | 32 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024-2025 | 89 | 11 | 12% |
| 2022-2023 | 94 | 3 | 3% |
| 2020-2021 | 32 | — | 0% |
| 2025-2026 | 21 | 7 | 33% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for the UST Cleanup Fund?
Petroleum UST owners and operators who have leaking tanks or unauthorized releases. Small businesses and individuals are eligible if they meet state requirements.
What expenses does the fund cover?
The fund reimburses cleanup costs associated with leaking underground storage tanks and releases from petroleum USTs.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No cost-sharing is required to apply for or receive funding from this program.
What is the typical award amount?
Awards can range up to approximately $1,000,000, depending on cleanup scope and expenses.
How do I apply if there's no specified deadline?
This is a rolling program. Submit applications as needed rather than waiting for specific deadline dates.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document all cleanup expenses carefully with receipts and invoices to strengthen your reimbursement claim.
- Contact the State Water Resources Control Board early to understand current application procedures and requirements.
- Gather proof that your UST has an unauthorized release or is confirmed leaking before applying.
- Understand federal and state UST regulations to ensure your cleanup plan meets all requirements.
- Keep detailed records of all communications and approvals from regulatory agencies during the cleanup process.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack detailed expense documentation or receipts. Applicants don't verify that their UST meets release/leaking criteria before submitting. Some fail to ensure cleanup work complies with all state and federal regulations.
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