The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce the release of a new web-based tool entitled, Federal Funding for Utilities – Water/Wastewater – in National Disasters (Fed FUNDS).
Fed FUNDS fills an important need identified by water and wastewater utilities to better understand and get access to federal disaster funding. An intuitive tool, Fed FUNDS provides information tailored to the water sector as well as tips and application forms in one place for various federal disaster funding programs. Such programs include:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Grant Program
- FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
- EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program
- Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs
Specifically note that the "Which Funding is Right for You?" button can provide funding tips for utilities during a Presidentially Declared Disaster. Also, the "Currently in a Disaster?" button can provide quick ways to document the damage/repairs in a disaster for later reimbursement. Also, Fed FUNDS provides information on the application process, examples of successfully funded utility projects, and utility funding mentors.
Fed FUNDS addresses national/regional-level disasters, but also applies to large-scale and even local disasters that result in service interruptions and significant damage to the critical water/wastewater infrastructure. As part of EPA’s effort to introduce Fed FUNDS to the water sector, EPA will be launching a series of workshops and webinars on federal disaster funding. More details will be forthcoming.
For questions about Fed FUNDS related to Hurricane Sandy, contact David Goldbloom-Helzner at [email protected].
To access Fed FUNDS, go to http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/funding/fedfunds/index.cfm.
