Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program

The objective is to assist communities that are small or disadvantaged to comply with the Safe Water Drinking Act (SDWA). Funding is awarded to states, territories, and Tribes/Tribal water systems, for projects/activities that are necessary for public water systems to comply with national drinking water standards established by SDWA. Funding will continue to support projects and activities that benefit underserved communities. Underserved communities have an inadequate system for obtaining drinking water and include those communities that do not have household drinking water or wastewater services, or are served by a public water system that violates or exceeds a requirement of a national primary drinking water regulation issued under SDWA section 1412, including a maximum contaminant level; a treatment technique; or an action level. Additionally, funds may be used to provide support towards testing, reduction, and remediation of emerging contaminants. The funding priority will continue to be projects and activities that benefit small or disadvantaged communities. Small communities include those will populations less than 10,000 individuals. Disadvantaged communities are those that meet affordability criteria established by the state in which the project takes place. For FY25 funding, projects supporting private wells are also considered eligible activities.

Funds are provided to eligible applicants to carry out projects and activities needed for public water systems to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Eligible projects/activities for grant funding include, but are not limited to, the following: investments necessary for a public water system to comply with the SDWA; point of access or point of use treatment devices, service line replacements (regardless of pipe material or ownership of the property on which the service line is located); the development of an alternative drinking water supply in the case of an emergency; the development/replacement/rehabilitation of drinking water storage structures to maintain compliance and protect public health; the consolidation of a water system that is not for growth purposes; testing for unregulated contaminants; the connection of underserved communities to an existing water system; and planning activities and remediation. More information is available at https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/wiin-grant-small-underserved-and-disadvantaged-communities-grant-program-0. 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. Funding cannot be used for the purchase of land, easements, rights-of-way, and relocations. In addition funding cannot be used for operation and maintenance costs.

Issuing office will provide location of application procedure details as appropriate.

The grant applications are reviewed by the appropriate EPA Regional Office, and if approved, the funds are awarded to the recipient.