Financial: Grants, Rate Studies, etc
Several different federal and state agencies have drinking-water funding programs to help municipalities plan, permit, design, and construct improvements to their water systems. Generally, these programs generally offer low-interest loans and grant funding. As a matter of fact, some of these programs provide annual or semi-annual application periods, while others are open for applications all year.
Rindt-McDuff Associates has consulted with dozens of municipalities, primarily in Georgia, to help them apply for and receive funding from these agencies.
Types of Water/Sewer System Funding Programs
Four primary agencies administer programs in Georgia for water system improvements and each program has different application processes. Fortunately, RMA has experience with all of the programs, having helped clients secure funding for multiple water projects. Below, we have listed the responsible agencies and water-funding programs.
Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) Drinking & Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Federally funded loan-grant programs for water or sewer system projects are available. Applications are accepted quarterly, and applicants can receive low-interest loans and, in some cases, principal forgiveness or grant awards.
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Fund
The federal agency provides loan/grant programs for wastewater projects, drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage, and distribution projects. This program can take a few years to navigate the application, preliminary engineering, environmental requirements, and agency review process. Further, this program is for rural municipalities with a population below 10,000. While it is the most burdensome program to work through, it can offer up to 75% grant funding.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Community Development Block Grant
This program awards municipalities up to $750,000 in grant funds for water systems, wastewater systems, and roadway/drainage projects. However, the projects must be in low to moderate-income target areas and submitted project applications are only accepted once a year (usually in April). Generally, the projects are scored versus other projects in the state and ranked. Then, projects that are ranked high enough receive a grant.
Interestingly, the DCA also administers the Employment Incentive Program. Under this program, municipalities award grants to bolster their water and sewer systems to help businesses. This grant can be applied for at any time during the year.
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Fund
This program provides grant funds for water and wastewater projects. Generally, these projects must improve water or sewer systems to directly improve service for large employers, manufacturers, industries, and large businesses. It’s worth noting; municipalities may receive up to $600,000 in grant funds for improvements after completing the application and environmental review process. However, applicants must be located in the Appalachian region to apply for funding.
How can Rindt-McDuff Associates Help Me with Water/Sewer System Funding Programs?
RMA has worked with primarily small to medium-sized municipalities for several decades. Many of these clients have not had all of the available funds to complete projects they desperately needed. Rather than incur debt service that would adversely impact the community, these clients turned to RMA for advice on how to secure grant funds.
What’s Next?
Please consider RMA if you are looking to stretch your funds as far as possible to construct a water or sewer improvement project. If you would like to contact one of our water resource engineers to discuss funding for your project, please click below.