Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Call for Projects
A Call for Projects has been announced for the 2024 fiscal cycle of the DWSRF. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – BIL) provided additional funds for this cycle, which are available for lead-related projects, emerging contaminants – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in particular – and a range of other projects.
The BIL provides $50 billion for investment in the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure. A significant amount of these funds will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs which are federal-state partnerships that provide eligible borrowers with low-cost financing for a wide range of water infrastructure projects. In Kentucky, the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs are co-administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority and the Division of Water.
The SRF programs provide funding for investments in regionalization, rehabilitating or constructing water and sewer treatment facilities, replacing inadequate and aging lines and tanks, and extending services to unserved or underserved households. The BIL expands eligible infrastructure projects to include those that address emerging contaminants such as PFAS, completing an inventory of drinking water service lines, and lead service line replacement. A key priority of BIL is to ensure that disadvantaged communities benefit fairly and equally from this generational investment in water infrastructure. Each year, the Division of Water and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority update the Drinking Water and Clean Water SRF Priority System Guidance Documents. Major changes this year include prioritizing projects to address these issues while emphasizing nature-based solutions. Additionally, project-based census data may now be used to determine disadvantaged community financial need.
The Drinking Water and Clean Water [Wastewater] Call for Projects Guidance can be found on the Division of Water – Funding website. Reach out to the Water Management Coordinator at the regional Area Development District office to apply. The Call for SRF Projects begins October 1st and will end on December 16th, 2022.
If you have any questions regarding the SRF programs please contact Russell Neal in the Division of Water (502-782-7026 or russell.neal@ky.gov), the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (502-573-0260), or your local Area Development District.