The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established both the PROTECT Formula and Discretionary Grant Programs. The PROTECT Discretionary Grants Program funds projects on a competitive basis that address the climate crisis by … Read more
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program is the largest source of federal funding for clean water infrastructure projects, including green infrastructure. This federal-state partnership provides grants to states and states use this funding to make low-interest loans to communities for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects.
Eligible Uses
Water infrastructure projects that improve water quality. See EPA’s Overview of CWSRF Eligibilities for additional detail. See EPA’s guidance for state SRF programs to implement the funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Construction of publicly owned treatment works
- Nonpoint source projects
- National estuary program projects
- Decentralized wastewater treatment systems (e.g., septic systems and tanks)
- Stormwater (gray and green infrastructure)
- Water conservation, efficiency, and reuse
- Watershed pilot projects
- Energy efficiency projects
- Water reuse projects
- Security measures at publicly owned treatment works
- Technical assistance
- Planning
Eligible Recipients
State, local, and tribal governments are eligible recipients for CWSRF.
Approx Annual Funding Amount
The CWSRF is authorized at $2.75 billion for FY2023. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided an additional $11.7 billion through FY26.
Cost Share Requirements
States typically contribute 20% to match the federal grants, although the supplemental funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have a 10% state match requirement through FY23.
Application Cycle
State deadlines vary but state SRF agencies develop Intended Use Plans (IUPs) which have a 60-day public comment period after which state SRF agencies submit the IUPs to EPA for approval.
Contact
See your State Contacts for CWSRF and list of each state’s financial or CWSRF assistance website.
Other Info
- This program is covered under the Justice40 Initiative.
- States are required to allocate at least 10% of their annual funding for green infrastructure, water efficiency, energy efficiency, and other environmentally innovative projects. Up to 30% of funds are also provided as additional subsidization in the form of grants, principal forgiveness, and negative interest loans to help communities that cannot afford to take out a normal low-interest loan.
- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $11.7 billion over five years through the CWSRF to communities for water infrastructure projects, 49% of which must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to municipalities that meet the state’s affordability criteria. EPA’s Green Project Reserve requirements also apply to this funding.
