The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering substantial financial assistance through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant program. This initiative is designed to help states and territories provide grants to public water systems in underserved communities, specifically to tackle the growing concern of emerging contaminants, including PFAS. This non-competitive grant program ensures that funds are readily available to those who need them most to safeguard public health.
Emerging Contaminants Icon in Blue representing funding for water quality improvement projects.
Understanding the EC-SDC Grant Program
This funding program prioritizes projects that directly address PFAS contamination in drinking water sources, whether within the public water system itself or in the source water. Furthermore, projects targeting any contaminant listed on the EPA’s Contaminant Candidate Lists (CCL) are also eligible for funding. Recognizing the urgency to protect public health, the EPA also encourages states to utilize these funds to address perchlorate and other contaminants that pose significant health risks in small and disadvantaged communities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated a historic $50 billion to EPA water programs, with $5 billion specifically dedicated to the EC-SDC grant program, demonstrating a strong commitment to resolving these critical water quality issues. In early 2022, the EPA initiated a Letter of Intent (LOI) process, allowing states and territories to indicate their interest and enabling the EPA to effectively allocate funds based on a predetermined formula.
The EC-SDC grant program benefits from an annual appropriation of $1 billion each fiscal year from 2022 through 2026. Notably, this grant program does not require any cost-sharing or matching funds, making it more accessible for communities with limited resources.
For detailed information on contaminants of concern, refer to the EPA’s Contaminant Candidate Lists.
States and communities are strongly advised to consult the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document.. This document serves as a comprehensive guide, providing essential information on leveraging this funding to address local water quality challenges and protect public health effectively. These grants are instrumental in empowering communities to upgrade their water infrastructure and effectively reduce emerging contaminants in their drinking water supplies through the implementation of crucial treatment solutions.
Funding Distribution and Allocation
Unprecedented levels of funding are now available to support the implementation of PFAS treatment technologies and ensure compliance with evolving drinking water standards. Complementing the EPA’s final rule on PFAS, an additional nearly $1 billion in funding is being released through the Investing in America agenda. This supplementary funding is specifically designated to assist 56 states and territories with initial PFAS testing and treatment initiatives, covering both public water systems and privately owned wells.
The EPA distributes grant funding to states based on a carefully designed allocation formula. This formula takes into account key factors such as population size, the number of public water systems within the state, and data related to the presence and levels of emerging contaminants. This ensures that funding is distributed equitably and directed to areas with the most pressing needs.
Detailed information on funding allocations can be found in the FY24 EC Allotment Memo (pdf) (218.66 KB, April 10, 2024) and the FY22-23 EC Allotment Memo (pdf) (307.02 KB).
Who Can Apply for EC-SDC Grants?
The EC-SDC grant program is structured as a non-competitive grant, with eligibility for application and funding specifically extended to the fifty states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
States are responsible for utilizing these funds to provide sub-grants to eligible emerging contaminant projects and activities within small or disadvantaged communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are communities meeting the criteria outlined in section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA):
- Disadvantaged Community: Defined by each state based on affordability criteria established under section 1452(d)(3) of the SDWA. A community can be deemed disadvantaged if it meets these criteria or may become so as a result of undertaking a project or activity funded by this grant. The specific criteria for “disadvantaged community” are determined at the state level.
- Small Community: Statutorily defined as a community with a population of fewer than 10,000 individuals and lacking the financial capacity to incur sufficient debt to finance necessary projects or activities under this grant program.
In a significant development in March 2024, the FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act expanded eligibility to include “owners of drinking water wells that are not public water systems or connected to a public water system” as eligible beneficiaries for FY24 funds awarded to states under SDWA sections 1459A(a)-(j), encompassing the EC-SDC grant program. This expansion ensures that even those relying on private wells can benefit from this funding.
The EPA will allocate 2% of the total appropriations, estimated at $24 million in FY22 funding, to tribal nations through the Grant Program. This allocation will be distributed to EPA regions based on the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set Aside Program (DWIG-TSA) allocation formula. Regional offices will manage the project selection, fund allocation, and grant distribution processes for tribal communities.
What Projects Are Eligible for Funding?
States and territories will have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program later this year. Eligible projects and activities are broad and encompass various approaches to addressing emerging contaminants:
- Projects specifically designed to address emerging contaminants in drinking water, particularly those benefiting small or disadvantaged communities on a per-household basis.
- Providing technical assistance to communities to effectively evaluate and understand emerging contaminant issues.
- Establishing programs for household water-quality testing, including testing for unregulated contaminants to provide residents with crucial information about their water.
- Developing local contractor training programs to build local capacity for water infrastructure projects.
- Implementing any other activities deemed necessary and appropriate for a state to effectively respond to emerging contaminant challenges.
Grant Program Implementation Details
To facilitate the grant application process, the EPA has released an implementation document to guide participating states and territories. This document provides essential instructions for developing and submitting grant applications. States and territories are expected to collaborate closely with their EPA regional offices in developing draft projects and work plans. These drafts require EPA regional office approval before formal grant applications are submitted through Grants.gov. The EPA is committed to providing ongoing support and resources to states and territories throughout the grant program implementation, including guidance on technical assistance and other key aspects related to emerging contaminants.
EPA regional offices play a critical role in reviewing draft work plans to ensure compliance with all grant requirements. Participating states are required to submit their final application packages through the Grants.gov website and are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible to expedite the funding process. EPA Regional offices serve as the primary point of contact for application approvals and funding awards.
The grant program will be continuously refined and updated annually, with additional information and revisions to the implementation document released as needed. This ensures that the program remains efficient, transparent, and responsive to the evolving needs of participating communities.
Access the Implementation Document for FY24 Funding (pdf) (757.78 KB) (added 12/4/2024) and the FY22/FY23 Implementation Document (pdf) (615.86 KB) for comprehensive guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions and Further Outreach
For answers to common queries, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions Page.
To enhance outreach and awareness, the EPA has developed several informative fact sheets:
- EC-SDC Fact Sheet (pdf) (336.35 KB) (added 12/4/2024)
- IIJA Funding Comparison Factsheet (pdf) (293.31 KB) (added 12/4/2024)
- Private Owners of Drinking Water Wells Factsheet (pdf) (199.33 KB) (added 12/4/2024)
Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act Compliance
Overview of BABA Requirements
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) incorporates the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), which strengthens Made in America provisions. Effective May 14, 2022, BABA mandates that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in infrastructure projects funded by federal financial assistance programs must be produced in the United States. This act aims to bolster American industry, protect national security, and support high-paying jobs within the country.
The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Made in America Office has issued guidance on implementing the Build America, Buy America Act. For grant funding, proposed revisions to the OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreements are intended to clarify requirements, particularly for manufactured products and non-ferrous construction materials.
Webinar and Support
The Drinking Water Grants Program team is actively working to standardize the process for grant recipients to comply with BABA requirements and to facilitate waiver requests when applicable. A dedicated grant inbox has been established to address questions and receive waiver requests: [email protected]. Do not hesitate to contact the grants team at HQ or through this dedicated email for assistance.
Contact Information for Grant Inquiries
For Regional and State contacts, please visit: Regional and State Contacts.
Grant Contacts: Lida Daly ([email protected]); Morgan DiCarlo ([email protected])
For general questions about WIIN grants, please contact: [email protected]
