Financing infrastructure for health, prosperity

Water and sewer grants programs

The Rural Center offers three types of grants to help rural communities pay for needed water and sewer projects. Each addresses a distinct need. Two types of grants under the Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Program address needs related to public health and the environment. Grants may cover planning activities associated with infrastructure development or actual construction of water and sewer projects. Depending on the source of funding, applicants may be required to document a critical need to be met. The Economic Infrastructure Supplemental Grants Program assists with construction projects that will lead directly to new, private sector jobs.

Go to application and reporting forms

Here's a brief summary of the three types of grants:

Clean Water Planning Grants

Funds: Planning (such as feasibility studies, capital improvement plans and engineering studies) for water and sewer infrastructure

Circumstances: Funding available for economically distressed (Tier 1 and Tier 2) counties or communities within those counties and for economically distressed communities within Tier 3 counties. Tier 3 counties are not eligible.

Amount available: Up to $40,000

Who may apply: Local governments in rural counties or regional agencies

Match required: Yes

Clean Water Supplemental Grants

Funds: Water and sewer construction

Circumstances: Depending on the source of funding, priority may be given to projects that eliminate verifiable threats to public health, achieve significant environmental protection or retain jobs in the private sector.

Amount available: Up to $500,000 or, for communities with strong economic needs, up to $1 million

Who may apply: Local governments in rural counties

Match required: Yes

Economic Infrastructure Grants

Funds: Water and sewer construction

Circumstances: Projects that create private sector jobs in new or expanding business(es) served by the infrastructure

Amount available: $10,000 per new job up to a maximum of $1 million

Who may apply: Local governments in rural county or Tier 1 urban county

Match required: Yes