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Water quality grants

Grants

Creek flowing over ditch diversion infrastructure

Available grants
Assistance grants program

Background

The Assistance Grants Program is a state funded grant program that supports public water systems interested in committing to excellence but lack the financial resources to do so. Grants can be awarded up to $25,000 with a total of $150,000 annually. Projects must be completed within the calendar year they are awarded. 

Eligibility

These grants are intended to:

  • Help these systems reach or maintain more consistent compliance with the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
  • Address a potential or existing water quality challenge.

Applications  

To apply, an eligible entity submits an application in response to the grant opening announcement. In addition to these external applications, division personnel may refer projects to this program. 

Top ranked applications and referrals are evaluated by a division committee; finalists are notified following the committee review.

The application period for 2024 is closed. For information on the grant process or awards, please reach out via the contact information below.

Contact

For more information and how to apply, visit Pursuing Excellence Program - Funding.

Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Programs

Background

House Bill 22-1358 is a state funded program that requires each child care center, family child care home and school that serves any of grades preschool through fifth in Colorado test their drinking water for lead by May 31, 2023, and remediate if necessary. The Test and Fix Water for Kids program will help schools and child care programs meet HB22-1358 requirements by providing free training, testing, remediation, and technical assistance through the School and Child Care Clean Drinking Water Fund.
 
The WIIN lead testing in schools and child care grant program is a federally funded program that offers grants to local public health agencies to help schools and child care programs meet the requirements of HB22-1358.

Eligibility

All schools serving any of grades preschool through fifth plus all licensed child care programs in Colorado must enroll in this program to comply with this new law. If the local public health agency in your county is participating in the WIIN lead testing in schools and child care grant program, their team will coordinate lead testing. 

Applications

There are no grant applications for the Test and Fix Water for Kids program. All schools and child care programs must enroll. Enrollment forms are available on the webpage:

Test and Fix Water for Kids

For more information on the WIIN lead testing in schools and child care gram program, see the webpage:

Lead testing at public schools grants 

Forms

All related forms are found on the webpage: 

Test and Fix Water for Kids

Contact

For more information, see Test and Fix Water for Kids, or contact waterftoorkids@state.co.us.

PFAS Grant Program

Background

The PFAS Grant program funding supports efforts in identifying, assessing, and reducing environmental impacts of PFAS on human health and the environment. It is a state funded grant program administered through the PFAS Cash Fund. This funding program is to be renewed every year on October 1, thru 2026. 

The PFAS Grant Program has three project categories:

  • Sampling
  • Emergency assistance
  • Infrastructure 

Eligibility

The general eligible entities for the PFAS grant program are listed below; a more detailed list can be found in the Request for Applications.

  • Governmental agencies
  • Tribes
  • Public water systems
  • Private not-for-profit public water systems
  • Counties or local health departments
  • Fire Departments
  • Not-for-profit Non-governmental organizations
  • Domestic Wastewater Treatment Works
  • Non-profit educational institutions

Applications  

The funding of projects is initiated by a Request for Applications (RFA) when sufficient funds have accumulated. The RFA sets out the eligibility requirements and criteria for entities and projects which will be funded, as well as timeframes and how to apply. To apply, an eligible entity submits an application in response to the RFA. 

For the most recent Request For Applications, see the PFAS Grant Program at:

PFAS Grant Program Request for Applications.

Forms

All related forms are on the webpage under the PFAS Grant Program.

Contact

For more information, see the PFAS Grant Program, or contact cdphe_wqcd_pfas_grant@state.co.us.

Service Line Inventory and Lead Service Line Replacement Planning Grants

This grant program has concluded, and applications are no longer being accepted. 

Background

On December 16, 2021, EPA finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which further strengthens the protections against lead in drinking water. The goal of the LCRR is to better protect communities from lead exposure in drinking water. All community and non-transient, non-community public water systems are required to comply with the LCRR starting October 16, 2024. Regulated public water systems in Colorado are defined in Regulation 11, the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (5 CCR 1002-11).

The LCRR has a number of new requirements for regulated public water systems. One of these requirements is that public water systems must develop a system-wide service line inventory by October 16, 2024. Systems that have lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown service lines in their inventory must also complete a lead service line replacement plan by October 16, 2024.

Applicants may apply for any combination of the following four (4) activities: 

  • Service line inventory
  • Lead or galvanized service line confirmation activities
  • Lead Service Line Replacement Planning (Please note that this grant will support construction planning only, and will not reimburse for physical replacement of lead service lines or galvanized requiring replacement service lines under the LCRR or the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). 
  • Optional: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and analysis services.

Applicants are encouraged to view this LCRR training session provided by the division’s Local Assistance Unit on March 7, 2024.

Inquiries are due via the RFA Inquiry form by 11:59 pm on March 26, 2024.

Eligibility

Eligible entities include the following (updated on September 15, 2023):

  • Publicly owned water systems and private not-for-profit public water systems whose service area is between 7,500 persons and 50,000 persons and whose Median Household Income is less than 120% of the State’s Median Household Income.
  • Publicly owned water systems and private not-for-profit public water systems whose service area is larger than 50,000 persons, and whose Median Household Income is less than 80% of the State’s Median Household Income.
  • Applicants responding to the October 13, 2023 deadline must be ready to proceed within 90 calendar days from the start of the funding period. Applicants responding to all remaining deadlines must be ready to proceed within 30 days from the start of the funding period.

Applications  

It is anticipated that there will be four deadlines (schedule updated on March 14, 2024):

  • October 13, 2023, 11:59 p.m. MDT
  • December 1, 2023, 11:59 p.m. MDT
  • February 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. MDT
  • April 9, 2024, 11:59 p.m. MDT

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and are awarded in order of receipt. Applications must be received electronically no later than the deadline above to be reviewed in the subsequent grant review period. If funding is depleted prior to the completion of all four grant review periods, notice will be made on the division’s Water Quality Grants Webpage. 

Awards

The following awards have been finalized:

  • The Pueblo West Metropolitan District, $36,000
  • The City of Durango, $202,500
  • The City of Greeley, $249,992.72
  • The City of Lamar, $63,000
  • The City of Lafayette, $102,081.60
  • The Town of Eagle, $121,335.17

Forms

Contact

cdphe_wqcd_sli_grant@state.co.us

Small community's water and wastewater (SCG) grants

Background

The Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grants (SCG) is part of the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission’s Regulation 55 - State Funded Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Programs. It is for eligible entities that serve a population of no more than five thousand people, with financial need. 

Financial need is determined during the application process. The Colorado Department of Local Affairs conducts the analysis and issues certificates to qualifying entities

Eligibility

Entities that serve a population of no more than 5,000 people and are:

  • Governmental agencies.
  • Counties representing unincorporated areas. 
  • Not-for-profit public water systems.

Applications

A request for applications, RFA, provides the entities and projects to be awarded funding with the eligibility requirements, criteria, timeframes, and information about how to apply. An RFA for the Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grants is offered dependent upon the accumulation of funds sufficient to support funding eligible projects.

The grant funds and RFA offerings are dependent upon funding availability. We do not have an anticipated date for offering an RFA. The fund currently supports match requirements for the state to receive federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding based on the passing of the SB23-238 bill. If additional funds become available, an RFA will be announced through the WQCD listserve and the website.

For grantees under contract

Contact

For general information about the Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grants, please contact 303 692-2848 or CDPHE.WQCD.Watergrants@state.co.us.

Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) grants

Background

The Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) is a Colorado state grant program funded by civil penalties collected for water quality violations. It is part of the Water Quality Control Commission’s Regulation 55 - State Funded Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Programs.

Eligibility

Entities eligible for funding include: 

  • Governmental agencies
  • Publicly owned water systems
  • Private not-for-profit public water systems
  • Not-for-profit stormwater program administrators or training providers
  • Not-for-profit watershed groups 
  • Private landowners impacted by a water quality violation

Projects eligible for funding must fall within these categories:

  • Stormwater management and best management practices training
  • Projects to improve water quality where there has been a civil penalty imposed for a water quality violation
  • Planning, design, construction, or repair of stormwater projects or domestic wastewater treatment facilities currently on the State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan
  • Nonfederal match funding for nonpoint source projects.

Applications

A request for applications, RFA, provides the entities and projects to be awarded funding with the eligibility requirements, criteria, timeframes, and information about how to apply. An RFA for the Water Quality Improvement Fund is offered dependent upon the accumulation of funds sufficient to support funding eligible projects.

Past Requests for Applications (Closed)

              Stormwater Management and Best Management Practices Training

              Stormwater Management and Best Management Practices Training

For Grantees Under Contract

Contact

For general information about the Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) grants, please contact 303 692-2848 or CDPHE.WQCD.Watergrants@state.co.us.

Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program

Background

The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program (EC-SDC Grant Program) is a program funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as the Colorado Assistance for Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program (Program). This Request for Applications (RFA) sets out the procedures for implementation of the Program. The purpose of the Program is to assist public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities with planning and design grants, and infrastructure funding to reduce public health risks from emerging contaminants including PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances), manganese and other emerging contaminants. The Program provides funding to support the efforts of public water systems that qualify as small or disadvantaged communities as defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1452(d)(3), and meeting the definitions in the State of Colorado base Drinking after Revolving Fund (DWRF) disadvantaged community, or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Drinking Water Revolving Fund (BIL DWRF) principal forgiveness eligibility criteria.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive funds under this Program, a project entity must be an eligible entity in the DWRF program meeting the disadvantaged community definitions as described above, and the primary purpose must be to address one or more emerging contaminants in drinking water. Assessment sampling to confirm the presence and extent of emerging contaminants must have been completed prior to application. If a public water system has a question regarding the eligibility of a contaminant for this Program, please submit an inquiry on the RFA inquiry form. 

Grants will be issued for two types of projects:

  • Tier 1 Planning and Design Grants include projects that are for planning and design costs and pilot testing for a project duration of up to 24 months and a maximum grant award of $300,000. Tier 1 projects must submit a DWRF prequalification form either before or as part of the project.
     
  • Tier 2 Infrastructure Grants include projects for the design and construction of treatment facilities to address emerging contaminants. Grants are awarded based on project budget up to a maximum project grant award of $30 million, not to exceed $10 million in a single  year, subject to availability of funds. Tier 2 projects must be near ready to proceed and have completed the DWRF prequalification and project needs assessment process. Tier 2 projects required to complete design documents, an environmental review, construction plans and specifications, and complete construction.

Assessment monitoring and sampling to determine the scope and extent of the presence of an emerging contaminant is not an allowable cost under this grant. Funding is available for assessment sampling under the PFAS Grant Program.

Applications  

To apply, an eligible entity must submit an application in response to the grant opening announcement. 

The current Request for Applications opened June 17, 2024 and closed on August 16, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. This Request for Applications is now closed and is not accepting applications at this time. Please check back on this page for future requests.

It is anticipated that future RFA application periods will be open twice per year in January and June in 2025, 2026, 2027, or 2028 subject to available allocations of funds from EPA or until funding is exhausted. Separate RFA announcements will be made on this page for each RFA application period. RFA announcements will also be sent to the department’s listserv noted at the bottom of this page. Interested parties may sign up to receive department communication at the bottom of this page.

If funding requests exceed available funds, projects will be prioritized according to the criteria in the RFA.

The RFA and attachments are below.

Forms

Responses to Inquiries Received Prior to Inquiry Deadline

Contact

Email: cdphe_wqcd_ec_sdc_grants@state.co.us

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For general information, please contact: