About
FCAP accepts applications on a year round basis. However, FCAP will only conduct one round of evaluations submitted by the deadline. Projects addressing eligible acute, chronic health/SDWA compliance or public health problems will be given higher priority over other projects. Both construction and non-construction assistance are available.
Construction Assistance
Construction Loan |
Interest rates from 3% to ceiling rate (1% below municipal bond market rates). Maximum term 20 years. Lower rates and longer terms (up to 30 years) are considered for waterworks meeting disadvantaged criteria. |
Construction Grant |
Will be considered for waterworks meeting disadvantaged criteria. |
Force Account Construction |
Projects are completed with non-contractor related labor. |
Non-Construction Assistance
Planning and Design Funds |
Projects up to $35,000 to be awarded. Applications accepted year-round. Funds are especially for small, disadvantaged community waterworks. |
Application Deadlines & Submittal Changes
The Application Deadline depends on the type of funding and method of delivery. This year, hard copies are optional. Applications may be submitted electronically this year. Please see the highlighted section below for more details. Unless otherwise stated, all applications must be submitted by the deadline below to be included in the next round of funding offers:
For applicants requesting only Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding:
- The required Funding Application Discussion Meeting must be held by March 8, 2022
- If electronically submitted, the application must be received by April 8, 2022
- If hand delivered, the application must be received by 5:00 PM on April 8, 2022
- If sent by mail, the application must be postmarked by April 8, 2022
For applicants who have no preference between BIL/DWSRF funding or who prefer the DWSRF or Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP) funding:
- The required Funding Application Discussion Meeting must be held by April 6, 2022
- If electronically submitted, the application must be received by May 6, 2022
- If hand delivered, the application must be received by 5:00 PM on May 6, 2022
- If sent by mail, the application must be postmarked by May 6, 2022
Please note: Applications for the Planning & Design Fund are accepted year-round. Please click the link for more information.
This year, we expect a much higher volume of applications compared to previous years. Therefore, we highly recommend that an electronic copy of the entire application, including all attachments, be submitted either via USB flash drive or by email. If submitting electronically, hard copies are optional.
- If submitting via USB flash drive, you may submit it alone or include it with the hard copy of your application (use mailing address in top left box of application)
- If submitting via email, please send to either May.Fornari@vdh.virginia.gov or Howard.Eckstein@vdh.virginia.gov
- If files are too large and exceed email file attachment limits, it is acceptable to send multiple emails with your application and attachments
- Alternatively, you may send a Google Drive link (or similar platform) to share access to your application documents
- Please note: Unfortunately, applications submitted via Dropbox can no longer be accepted. VDH has blocked Dropbox due to the fact that it does not meet the Agency's security standards.
- Please include in the email subject line "Waterworks/Locality Name - FY23 Application 1 of #"
Please note, we will no longer accept the following items:
- Electronic copies on CDs - we no longer have access to a disc drive to read these files
- Applications in bound booklet format - please use 3-ring binders with tabs instead for ease of scanning
- Where "bound booklet format" is defined as softcover/paperback or GBC/spiral binding
We have implemented these recommendations and restrictions in order to streamline our process. We thank you for your patience and understanding. Please contact us with any questions.
Important Changes - New for FY 2023
- The Construction Funds Application has been updated, and now the Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP) Application is separate. Please make sure to download the appropriate application as well as the corresponding new instructions for filling out the application.
- The Construction Funds Application can also be used to apply for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding—also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). An applicant can apply for either or both of these funding opportunities with a single application. At this time, there is limited information available regarding the BIL funding. VDH will provide updates once more details from EPA are available. Thank you for your patience on this.
- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds are broken down into three different categories:
- Supplemental - has all the same eligibilities that the base DWSRF Program does
- Lead Service Lines (LSLs) - VDH anticipates a funding level of approximately $42 million under the BIL for larger infrastructure work
- Emerging Contaminants - focuses on PFAS, but also includes the contaminants listed in the Draft Fifth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 5)
- The "Disadvantaged Community" status has been updated to include Environmental Justice Communities. See the Program Design Manual for more information on how the Environmental Justice Community designation is determined.
- It is our understanding that Build American Buy American (BABA) will be a requirement for all BIL funded projects and that BABA will replace AIS for DWSRF projects if the loans haven't closed six months after President Biden signed the BIL. Details regarding the BIL and BABA are still unknown. However, VDH will disseminate these details as soon as we receive them from EPA. Thank you for your patience on this.
- Public Health Priority points are now awarded to waterworks that are "Taking over, or providing water service to, customers of an abandoned waterworks."
- The UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) Number will be replacing the Federal DUNS Number, effective April 4, 2022. Please visit https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp and click on the green “Help on UEI Transition” button for more details. Additional UEI resources are available below under “Other Fact Sheets/Forms.”
Construction Funding Workshops
The in-person Drinking Water Construction Funding Workshops have been suspended for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Until we receive word from the Commonwealth that it is safe to resume regular operations, we will not be able to hold the workshop in person.
In lieu of the in-person workshop, a pre-recorded PowerPoint Presentation with detailed information regarding the FY 2023 application cycle is posted below. To access the presentation, you may either click on the image or the link below to download the presentation. Viewing instructions may also be found below.
FY23 Funding Construction Workshop
To view the presentation, please download and open the file. Click on the Slide Show tab at the top of your screen and select the option From Beginning. The presentation should enter full screen mode and the first audio clip should begin playing automatically. To advance the slides, you may use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move forward and backward. Detailed instructions on viewing the presentation are also available.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact the FCAP Staff.
Manuals
View the manuals below for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program and the Water Supply Assistance Grant (WSAG) Fund Program. The DWSRF Program Design Manual provides very detailed information on the background of the program, eligibility, and types of financial assistance. We strongly recommend viewing the DWSRF Program Design Manual first prior to filling out Applications.
DWSRF Program Design Manual |
WSAG Program Guidelines |
Application Forms & Instructions
Please view the Funding Announcement Letter for additional details on the application period for this fiscal year. Please also note that there is no separate application for WSAG funds. You may use the Application for Construction Funds form below to submit an application to either the DWSRF program or the WSAG program, and FCAP will determine the source of the funding. Click on the bars below to expand each section.
Applicants for Construction Funds should apply for all infrastructure projects they are considering over the next four or five year period. VDH is in a position to fund large capital improvement projects. Please note that very large projects may need to be phased. Construction loan funds are disbursed on a cost reimbursement basis. All requests for disbursement of loan funds must be substantiated by invoices reviewed and approved by the owner. VDH will review and approve such requests prior to the actual disbursement of funds. All submittals for disbursement are to be made in accordance with the latest version of VDH's Procedural Guidelines.
Please click the link to view the Instructions for filling out the application.
The Construction Funds Application is available to download as a PDF or a Word document.
The 1996 Amendments of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) encourages States to provide technical assistance to waterworks. To meet these requirements, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Drinking Water (ODW) created the Planning & Design Fund Program to provide financial assistance for eligible projects at community and nonprofit, non-transient non-community (NTNC) waterworks.
VDH will consider up to three applications from a waterworks owner in each funding year. However, due to the demand for the Program and limited funds for projects, offers will be limited to a maximum of two grants, of not more than $35,000 each, per eligible waterworks owner per funding year. Multiple applications from one owner must be for different areas of a waterworks’ infrastructure (e.g. source, treatment, distribution, security, etc.) or for a completely different waterworks (i.e., a waterworks with a different PWSID #). VDH reserves the right to fund a project received at any time during the year, or to by-pass any project for lack of progress at any time. VDH also reserves the right to decide if funding is contingent upon adjusting water rates and/or requiring savings for financial reserves. Funding is not contingent on receiving a local match.
Please click the link to view the Instructions for filling out the application.
The Planning & Design Fund Application is available to download as a PDF or a Word document.
Please note that applications are accepted year-round. Refer to the application packet for submittal instructions
For more information please contact:
Barry E. Matthews, CPG, Director
Division of Training, Capacity Development and Outreach
(804) 477-5171
Barry.Matthews@vdh.virginia.gov
or
Julie M. Floyd, Capacity Development Supervisor
Cell: (540) 460-9348
Julie.Floyd@vdh.virginia.gov
VDH is encouraging publicly-owned systems to consider refinancing local debt obligations related to drinking water infrastructure where construction was started and debt was incurred after July 1, 1993. Typically, refinance loans will be 20 year loans at the core term interest rate. VDH reserves the right to offer a 30 year loan if the waterworks meets disadvantaged criteria. Disadvantaged criteria is explained in greater detail in the DWSRF Program Design Manual.
The Refinance Loan Application is available to download as a PDF or a Word document
Source water protection, as defined by the EPA, involves managing potential sources of contaminants and preventing pollutants from reaching sources of drinking water, which is often more efficient and cost-effective than treating drinking water later. Loan funds are available to: (1) Community and non-profit noncommunity waterworks to acquire land/conservation easements, and (2) Community waterworks, only to establish local voluntary incentive-based protection measures. Learn more about VDH's Source Water Protection Program by clicking on the link.
The 1452K Source Water Protection Initiative Application is available to download as a PDF or a Word document.
In an effort to accelerate the removal of lead in drinking water, the DWSRF Program has made funding available for the complete removal of the public and/or private portions of lead service lines (LSLs). In conjunction with other available funds, this program intends to provide up to $5,000 as grant funds (of which up to $500 may be eligible as an admin fee) for each service line replaced on the homeowner's side of the meter. The LSL includes pipe entry into the structure (up to shut off valve) but excludes the premise plumbing. To learn more about the Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP), please click on the link.
New for FY23: Systems will now be able to apply for funding towards building an LSL Inventory. Up to $250,000 per application cycle will be available.
Please click the link to view the Instructions for filling out the application.
The LEAP Application is available to download as a PDF or a Word document.
Note: If the scope of your potential project will include other construction work in addition to LSL work, you will be required to submit a separate Construction Funds Application in addition to the LEAP Application. Please see the Construction Funds Application & Information section above for more details.
Please use the form below to submit Public Comments and/or Set-Aside Suggestions. Please submit one form for each Set-Aside Suggestion by the closing date. Attach additional pages if necessary. For suggestions or projects not funded, VDH reserves the right to reconsider funding the above project if funds become available.
The Public Comments & Set-Aside Suggestion Form is available to download as a PDF or a Word document.
You may submit the completed form to:
VDH - Office of Drinking Water
109 Governor Street, 6th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
(Voice: 804-864-7501)
(FAX: 804-864-7521)
For more information please contact:
Barry E. Matthews, CPG, Director
Division of Training, Capacity Development and Outreach
(804) 477-5171
Barry.Matthews@vdh.virginia.gov
or
Julie M. Floyd, Capacity Development Supervisor
Cell: (540) 460-9348
Julie.Floyd@vdh.virginia.gov