Funding Assistance Available to Water and Wastewater Systems

Wastewater Link    Water Link

Wastewater Eligibility Survey  Water Eligibility Survey

It is that time of year again! The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Financial Assistance Program will be mailing surveys to water and wastewater entities asking for information to identify and document financial needs across the state. This information will be used to develop funding eligibility lists for the grant and loan programs administered by this agency.

To be considered for funding, your project(s) must first be identified and listed on the annual funding eligibility list(s). To have your project listed, we ask that you complete a short survey to identify your needs. If you have not received a copy by mail, a survey can be found online at www.cwrpda.com under Programs, then Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund or Drinking Water Revolving Fund. Click on “2008 Eligibility Survey.” You can also obtain electronic or hard copy versions by contacting Erick Worker by email or phone at: erick.worker@state.co.us / 303-692-3594.

Surveys can be submitted to the Financial Assistance Program throughout the year, with an annual submission deadline of May 30th.

The Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (WPCRF) provides low interest loans for construction of wastewater, storm water, and non-point source projects. The Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) provides low interest loans for the construction of water projects for public health and compliance purposes. Projects ineligible for assistance include: dams, water rights or reservoirs, fire protection and growth-related projects. Loans generally are 80% of market rate for 20 years. Previous loans have been leveraged with interest rates as low as 3.03%. Eligibility to participate in the revolving loan programs is limited to governmental agencies.

Both the WPCRF and DWRF revolving loan programs also provide low interest Direct and Disadvantaged Communities loans up to two million dollars. The direct loan rate is currently set at 3.75%. Disadvantaged Communities loans are for populations of 5,000 or less, with a median household income at or below 80% of the state average. The current interest rates range from 0% to 1.875%.

The Domestic Wastewater Treatment and the Drinking Water Grant Programs can provide financial assistance to entities that serve populations of not more than 5,000. Governmental agencies and not-for-profit public water systems are eligible for funding from the Drinking Water Grant Program. Eligible entities include: Municipalities, Water and Sanitation Districts, Sanitation Districts, Water Districts, Metropolitan Districts and Improvement Districts.

Other state and federal funding agencies, including the USDA Rural Development and Department of Local Affairs, also use the information obtained in this survey to verify project needs. Additionally, data from this survey has been used in the 2004 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey, which is submitted to the U.S. Congress every four years. This report documents the state and national cost estimates for compliance with the Clean Water Act. A thorough and accurate identification of water quality needs may also improve the share of federal funds that Colorado receives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in future years to capitalize its revolving funds.

Please complete a survey to ensure funding eligibility for your projects and to assist the program with accurately documenting the water quality and public health needs of the state.