I am pleased to announce several opportunities for drinking water funding. Construction applications may be submitted year round. However, applications received after the due date stated below will be considered for funding in following cycle. As described below, funding is made possible by our Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program. We anticipate having at least $10 million. Also the enclosed attachment describes our Water Supply Assistance Grant Fund Program. Our FY 2007 DWSRF Intended Use Plan will be developed using your input on these issues.
Factsheet MBE/WBE Requirements
Certification Regarding Lobbying
1. 1452(k) Source Water Protection Initiatives pdf | word
(Yellow application) Must be postmarked by March 31, 2006.
This provision allows VDH to loan money for activities to protect important drinking water resources. Loan funds are available to: (1) community and non-profit noncommunity waterworks to acquire land/conservation easements and (2) to community waterworks, only, to establish local, voluntary incentive-based protection measures.
2.
Construction Funds pdf | word
(Cream application) Must be postmarked by March 31, 2006.
Private and public owners of community waterworks and nonprofit noncommunity waterworks are eligible to apply for construction funds. VDH makes selections based on criteria described in the Program Design Manual (pdf) , such as existing public health problems, noncompliance, affordability, regionalization, the availability of matching funds, etc. Readiness to proceed with construction is a key element. A Preliminary Engineering Report must be submitted if required by VDH. An instruction packet (pdf) and Construction Project Schedule (pdf) are included.
Cash Flow Project (MS Excel document)
Cash Flow Overall (MS Excel document)
3. Set-Aside Suggestion Forms pdf | word
(White form) Must be postmarked by March 31, 2006.
Anyone has the opportunity to suggest new or continuing set-aside (nonconstruction) activities. Set-aside funds help VDH assist waterworks owners to prepare for future drinking water challenges and assure the sustainability of safe drinking water.
4. Planning & Design Grants pdf | word
Gray application) Must be postmarked by August 25, 2006.
Private and public owners of community waterworks are eligible to apply for these grant funds. Grants can be up to $25,000 per project for small, rural, financially stressed, community waterworks serving fewer than 3,300 persons. Eligible projects may include preliminary engineering planning, design of plans and specifications, performance of source water quality and quantity studies, drilling test wells to determine source feasibility, or other similar technical assistance projects. These funds could assist the waterworks owner in future submittals for construction funds.
The VDH's Program Design Manual describes the features of the above opportunities for funding. After receiving the aforementioned public input, VDH will develop a draft Intended Use Plan for public review and comment. When developed in August, the draft Intended Use Plan will describe specific details for use of the funds. A public meeting is planned for October and written comments will be accepted before we submit a final version to the USEPA for approval.
You may request the applications, set-aside suggestion form, Program Design Manual and information from and forward any comments to me by writing, calling, or faxing at the above address. The materials are also accessible on our web site at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/dw/drinkingWaterFund.asp.
Sincerely,
Thomas B. Gray, P.E.
Special Projects Manager