EPA Announces $25 Million in WIIN Grants for States and Territories to Help Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities
On May 21, EPA announced $25 million through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act grant program for states and territories to help Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) with drinking water needs. This non-competitive funding is being allotted to states and territories based on factors for population below the poverty level, small water systems, and underserved communities.
Public water systems, water systems located in areas governed by an Indian Tribe, or states and territories applying on behalf of an underserved community may apply for the SUDC grant funding. Eligible projects include:
- Household water quality testing for PFAS and other drinking water contaminants.
- Identifying and replacing lead service lines.
- Building technical, financial, and managerial water system capacity.
- Infrastructure projects that support drinking water quality improvements.
This year, EPA is again waiving the ten percent cost share requirement for all grant applicants has updated the eligible uses for the funds in FY 2024 to address private well needs, per the FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
This funding is separate from the $1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding that EPA has made available annually through FY2026 for the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program. The BIL funding is to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and may also be used to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination.
For more information and to see the WIIN SUDC Grant allotments, read the press release and visit the EPA website.
