Grants & Loans

There are many federal, state, and local grants and loans available for projects. Many encourage projects that provide multiple benefits. Opportunities can provide dedicated funds and incentives for conducting projects in smaller and disadvantaged communities.

The California State Water Resources Control Board’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund is an example of a federal-state revolving loan program that provides an application-based source of capital for building projects, which must be paid back over time. Eligible projects include watershed protection projects and runoff pollution control projects. The Stormwater Grant Program awards funds to promote the beneficial use of storm water and dry weather runoff through multiple-benefit projects. The Clean Beaches Initiative Grant Program provides funding for projects that restore and protect water quality and the environmental habitat of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, and near shore waters. The State Water Board’s Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) administers these and several other grant and loan programs. In 2018, the State Water Board released a document of existing stormwater funding options especially relevant for California as part of their STORMS initiative.

The California Department of Water Resources’ Integrated Regional Water Management Grant program offers grants for planning and implementation of projects, developed in collaboration with other projects and programs related to water resources in a region. Projects that support disadvantaged communities are highly encouraged. Additionally, the USEPA hosts the Water Finance Clearinghouse with a repository of qualitative and quantitative information on funding water infrastructure in the United States.