Financial Assistance Programs – Grants and Loans

Small Community Wastewater Strategy

The Small Community Wastewater Strategy (Strategy) is referenced in State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2008-0048, which promotes strategies to assist small and/or disadvantaged communities with wastewater needs. Strategy related information is divided into the following areas:

• Annual Updates
• Announcements
• Free Wastewater Training Materials
• Related Funding Programs
• Receive Program Updates
• Contacts/Questions or Comments

Annual Updates

Staff provides annual updates to the State Water Resources Control Board (Board) to assist small and/or disadvantaged communities with their wastewater needs. Information discussed during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 updates can be accessed below:

Third Annual Update, December 5, 2011, State Water Board meeting: Informational Agenda Item No. 7.

Second Annual Update, August 3, 2010, State Water Board meeting: Informational Agenda Item No. 10.

First Annual Update, July 7, 2009. State Water Board meeting: Informational Agenda Item No. 11.

Announcements

December 2011: On November 17, 2011, the State Water board executed a contract with California Rural Water Association (CRWA) to provide up to $500,000 in wastewater-related technical assistance to small, disadvantaged communities (SDACs) statewide.  The Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) defines a SDAC as a public body with a population of 20,000 persons or less, and an annual median household income (MHI) of less than 80 percent of the statewide MHI.  The types of technical assistance that will be offered include:

1. Preparation of financial assistance applications;
2. Compliance audits and troubleshooting to address permit violations or improve operations;
3. Review of proposed project alternatives to assist in identifying low-cost, sustainable approaches;
4. Assistance with planning and budgets, including capital improvement planning; and
5. Assistance with community outreach, awareness, and education, especially with regard to rate setting and Proposition 218 compliance. 

The technical assistance provided under this contract is intended to be targeted and specific, with each SDAC allotted a maximum of 20 hours of technical assistance.  DFA staff may approve additional time on a case-by-case basis.

June 2010: Updated List of Potentially Eligible Small Disadvantaged Community Wastewater Projects
Based on feedback from the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Environmental Justice and Small Community Assistance Groups, and individual local agency inquiries, DFA has compiled a list of potentially eligible small, disadvantaged community wastewater projects. This list is used to help quantify statewide need, and it will continue to be updated based on any new information provided to DFA staff. If the Small Community Wastewater Grant (SCWG) Program solicits projects in the future, applications will be distributed to the projects identified on this list to collect more information about their eligibility, needs, and the current status of their projects. Please contact DFA if you are aware of SDAC wastewater projects that should be added to this list.

FREE Wastewater Training Materials

In December 2009, the State Water Board executed a contract with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to provide wastewater-related training to SDACs statewide. Both classroom and web based training courses were offered on various topics, including: Sewer System Management Plans; Rate Setting and Proposition 218; and Small Wastewater System Operation and Maintenance. This contract expired June 30, 2011; however, those interested may still access training materials produced in association with this contract (including recordings of the online training sessions).

Related Funding Programs

The State Water Board’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, which is funded by federal grants, State funds, and revenue bonds, provides low-interest financing for construction of publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities, local sewers, sewer interceptors, and water recycling facilities, as well as, expanded use projects.

The State Water Board’s Small Community Wastewater Grant (SCWG) Program provided assistance for the construction of publicly-owned wastewater treatment and collection facilities to communities meeting specific population restrictions and annual Median Household Income requirements.

If you would like more information regarding funding opportunities for small community drinking water projects, please refer to the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) Website. CDPH provides funding (grants for disadvantaged communities, as well as low-interest financing) to public water systems through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program, Proposition 50, and Proposition 84. The CDPH has a technical assistance program for small communities with a population of 10,000 persons or less.

Receive Program Updates

  Subscribe online to receive information and updates regarding grant and loan programs. Please check the Small Communities Program box to receive email updates.

Contacts / Questions or Comments?

Please contact one of the following:

Meghan Brown Senior Water Resource Control Engineer Division of Financial Assistance Small Community Wastewater Unit (916) 341-5729
Phil Isorena Senior Water Resource Control Engineer Division of Water Quality National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Unit (916) 341-5544	or	Gordon Innes Senior Water Resource Control Engineer Division of Water Quality Waste Discharge Requirements Unit (916) 341-5517
Melissa Hall Senior Water Resource Control Engineer Office of Enforcement (916) 341-5773

Regional Water Quality Control Boards

You may also want to contact other Environmental Justice Organizations and Small Community Assistance organizations that can often provide financial, legal, or technical assistance to small and/or disadvantaged communities.