Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Planning
🏛 State Water Resources Control Board (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Sep 5, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for charter schools seeking low-cost financing for startup or operational needs. Applicants must be existing or newly opening charter schools. Schools opening in the current fiscal year receive priority consideration. The loan amount ranges from $100,000 to $250,000.
Geographic scope is California only. Charter schools in California are eligible to apply. The program prioritizes schools beginning operations in the fiscal year of application.
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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
- Loan application form
- Financial statements (recent and projected)
- Credit evaluation materials
- Repayment plan or revenue projections
- Charter authorization documents
- School governance and operational plan
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 is eligible to apply?
Charter schools in California are eligible. Schools opening in the current fiscal year receive priority funding consideration.
When does the application period open and close?
The program uses rolling deadlines. The State Treasurer's Office announces opening and closing dates via a Listserve. Subscribe to stay informed about application windows.
What can I use the loan funds for?
Loans support charter school startup and operational needs. The specific allowable uses depend on the school's credit profile and loan agreement terms.
How much can we borrow?
Loans range from $100,000 to $250,000. The exact amount depends on your school's needs and credit evaluation results.
Is this a grant or a loan?
This is a revolving loan program. Schools must repay the funds. The State Treasurer's Office conducts credit evaluation before approval.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Subscribe to the State Treasurer's Office Listserve immediately to catch application announcements. Missing the deadline window means waiting for the next cycle.
- Prepare strong financial documentation. The Authority conducts extensive credit evaluations before disbursement.
- Prioritize if you're opening in the current fiscal year. New schools receive preferential consideration over established schools.
- Have a detailed repayment plan ready. The program creates payment schedules based on your school's revenue projections.
- Apply early within the open window. Rolling funds may close once the allocation depletes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Incomplete or weak financial documentation. Schools lacking clear revenue projections or adequate operating budgets struggle in credit evaluation. Missing the application announcement because you're not subscribed to the Listserve. Missing deadlines because you didn't know the program was accepting applications.
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