Drought Funding
The State Water Board has funding available for projects that address either drought-related urgent drinking water needs or long-term resilience. We aim to develop relationships and collaborate with public agencies (including Regional Boards), tribal governments, water systems, and non-profit organizations to assist with long- and short-term drinking water projects. These entities are all eligible to apply for funding.
We do not directly fund individual households. If you are an individual looking for immediate assistance, go to the drinking water assistance page.
How to Apply
- For emergency assistance: Contact your county office of emergency services
- For short-term projects (see examples below): Complete the Urgent Drinking Water Needs Application and submit to DFA-CAA@waterboards.ca.gov (assistance is available upon request)
- For long-term projects (see examples below): Complete the funding application online via the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). Select the Request for Proposal (RFP) titled, “Small Community Funding Program, Pre-Application”
Project Examples
Short-term solutions (mostly emergency repairs and drinking water delivery)
- Bottled water delivery
- Hauled water delivery (tanks)
- Well repairs
- Emergency interties
- Well rehabilitation or replacement
Long-term solutions
- Designing and installation of new wells
- Extension of service
- Extension of service
- Regional consolidation
- Treatment systems
- General construction category
Funding can also be utilized to cover expenses related to:
- Rented, borrowed or purchased equipment
- Design, installation and initial startup costs
Organizations and entities interested in funding drinking water programs for schools may apply directly through technical assistance providers. Find more information here.
Contact Information
DFA-CAA@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 319-9066
(916) 319-9066
