LEAP – for Localities & Waterworks

The Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP) is a subset of VDH-ODW's regular Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) Program. Each year, $2M of the Capitalization Grant is dedicated for use in LEAP. These dedicated LEAP funds are 100% principal forgiveness (grant funds).

LEAP funding is to be used exclusively for work that involves lead removal. If you have a project that involves both lead and non-lead work, you will need to complete both the LEAP Application and the Construction Funds Application.

Please note that since LEAP utilizes DWSRF funding, all LEAP projects will need to follow the same programmatic, State, and Federal requirements that are required for other Construction Projects, unless otherwise stated. Certain requirements may be deemed not applicable to LEAP projects, depending on the scope and setup of the project. These non-applicable items will be determined after all potential LEAP projects once all applications have been received and evaluated.

Yes! - One of the 3 categories under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding is specifically allotted for LSL work. This pot of funding covers both LSL Replacement as well as LSL Inventory work. Approximately $45M specifically for BIL-LSL funding will be available each year, from FY 2022 through FY 2026. This BIL-LSL funding is intended to supplement the LEAP funding. In general, LEAP funding is awarded as 100% principal forgiveness (grant), while BIL-LSL funding also has some grant funding available but may contain a loan portion. In addition, LEAP eligibility is slightly more flexible compared to BIL-LSL eligibility.

The main difference between LEAP funding and BIL-LSL funding is the amount of funding you can request in your LEAP application. Since LEAP is 100% principal forgiveness, the funding is intended for systems with the most need. With LEAP, you may apply for a maximum amount of: up to $250,000 for LSL inventory work and up to $500,000 for LSL replacement work (for a total of up to $750,000 for both). With BIL-LSL, there is no cap on the requested funding amount. If it is anticipated that the project is large enough to be carried out in phases, portfolio financing may be an option. In addition, LEAP funding is permanent (depending on the base DWSRF funding amount), while BIL-LSL funding is temporary from FY 2022 through FY 2026. Please see the table below for details:

The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW) maintains primary enforcement responsibility (primacy) under the SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act) and the federal SDWA regulations for the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the primacy agency, the VDH-ODW will be implementing the Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) requirements. Please check the VDH-ODW Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) Guidance webpage for the latest information, including templates, training information, and FAQ documents.