Welcome to the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed’s Infrastructure Funding Resource Hub!
Historic federal investments in our country’s water infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) have led to the pursuit of opportunities for improving aging systems, combating climate change, and advancing environmental justice. However, many hurdles exist and questions persist about accessing the funding and ensuring the most disadvantaged communities are prioritized.
The BIL provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with $60 billion over five years, with $5.5 billion already awarded to states in 2022. As of October 2022, the Administration has announced funding for each of the Delaware basin states, including $7.9B to Pennsylvania, $9.3B to New York, $4.9B to New Jersey, and $0.8B to Delaware. The BIL also includes $26 million of supplemental funding for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program (DRBRP) administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over five years - an additional $5.2 million annually.
Each state is tasked with managing most of the funding through their Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), which means each state may be managing its programs differently from neighboring states – including those states in the Delaware River Basin.
This webpage is meant to provide resources and information on the SRF programs and how each state is implementing its funding programs. This page will also highlight open public engagement opportunities as they become available so member organizations can take action to influence funding and engage with federal and state regulators.
Join the Infrastructure Funding Workgroup
Interested in joining fellow Coalition members in monthly infrastructure discussions? Join our Infrastructure Funding Workgroup by emailing Kelly Knutson, kelly.knutson@delriverwatershed.org. Come hear - and share your own - updates from each basin state, learn about new developments and resources and discuss actionable ways the distribution and implementation of infrastructure funding can benefit our Delaware Basin communities.
General Resources
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State Revolving Fund Advocacy Toolkit, River Network
EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
EPA Clean Water State Revolving Fund
State Revolving Fund Resources, River Network
Infrastructure Funding for People and Rivers: Advocacy Tips for the Delaware River Watershed, American Rivers
A Study of Equity and Green Investments in the State Revolving Funds of the Delaware River Watershed, American Rivers
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New York
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Green Innovation Grant Program: For water quality projects that incorporate green infrastructure design. This program can fund up to 90% of eligible project costs for green stormwater infrastructure projects in a low income and/or environmental justice community.
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Intermunicipal Grants Program: for drinking and clean water projects that service multiple municipalities. Projects may be awarded up to $30 million or 40% of the eligible project cost.
New Jersey
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New Jersey Infrastructure Bank: The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank is an independent State Financing Authority responsible for providing and administering low interest rate loans to qualified municipalities, counties, regional authorities, and water purveyors in New Jersey for the purpose of financing water quality infrastructure projects that enhance ground and surface water resources, ensure the safety of drinking water supplies, protect the public health and make possible responsible and sustainable economic development.
Financial Help: The NJ Water Bank Financing Program is a partnership between the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT), a division of the NJ Infrastructure Bank, and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The application process has been streamlined and implemented through the H2LOans online application system.
Green Infrastructure Applicant’s Guide: This guide is intended for any municipality, utility authority, or other eligible entity with an interest in obtaining financing for green water quality infrastructure projects from the NJ Water Bank. It offers a roadmap for applicants by providing information on initial funding queries through to final construction dollars. The Applicant's Guide is also helpful for entities interested in financing traditional gray infrastructure projects.on text goes here
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This New Jersey Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Information Hub is here to help you!
Their goal is to make grant information and deadlines visible and digestible to municipalities, counties, departments, and stakeholders in terms of the once-in-a-generation discretionary (competitive) funding opportunities that are available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Pennsylvania
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Growing Greener Grants: This program provides funding for projects that improve surrounding water quality, including flood mitigation and stormwater management projects. This should be updated soon to a new name but similar programs.
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Center for Water Quality Excellence: This program is a support center that assists local governments, businesses, organizations, and farmers to better understand and navigate opportunities for funding for projects that improve urban and agricultural stormwater management. The Program is funded by PENNVEST.
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Delaware
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Water Quality Improvement Loan Program: This program funds projects that are designed to improve water quality by local governments receiving wastewater treatment funding through the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund.
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Wastewater Matching Planning Grants: This funding can be used to assist with wastewater planning and project planning needed to submit a loan application.
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Community Water Quality Improvement Grants: This grant funding is annually determined and set aside in the Clean Water SRF to go towards projects that improve water quality as part of a specific watershed improvement plan. It is intended for programs and projects that use innovative methods for water quality improvement with measurable results. The Grants are available to non-profit organizations, local conservation districts, community organizations, and homeowner’s associations.
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University of Delaware Grant Assistance Program (GAP): This initiative provides free technical grant assistance to local governments for infrastructure initiatives and other competitive and formula grant opportunities.
Other Infrastructure Funding Opportunities
Through the BIL, the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund received an investment of $26 million over the next five years. DWCF, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has been providing funding for "nature-based solutions to restore fish and wildlife habitat and support community vitality in the watershed” since 2018.
American Rescue Plan Act: A portion of funds under ARPA are available for Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery. Eligible expenses under this fund include investment in Invest in water and sewer infrastructure.
U.S. Dept of Agriculture: Federal funding opportunities for rural areas, including water and waste disposal loan and grant programs and pre-development planning grants.
For Infrastructure Funding comment opportunities, visit our Public Comments webpage.
This web page was created in collaboration with River Network and American Rivers.