Financial Assistance FAQs - Central Coast Water Board

Where can I learn how to apply for available grants and loans? 

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Central Coast Water Board) together offer various financial assistance programs. Grant and low interest loan programs may include planning, design, and construction of municipal sewage facilities, water recycling facilities, drinking water facilities, stormwater, groundwater, remediation for underground storage tank releases, watershed protection, and nonpoint source pollution control projects. The California Grants Portal (https://www.grants.ca.gov/ ) is a useful resource where Dischargers and other entities can learn more about eligibility requirements. The Federal Grants Portal (https://www.grants.gov/) provides an efficient way to search for federal grants and other helpful information. Underrepresented Communities are encouraged to check out the funding opportunities.   

How can I find out if my proposed project is eligible for Water Board funding?

Financial assistance programs can assist with permit compliance, facility upgrades, and more. Dischargers are encouraged to review the funding eligibility criteria for each grant or loan opportunity and their permit to ensure the potential project aligns with the grant or loan requirements. State Water Board and Central Coast Water Board staff can also assist in determining the most appropriate funding program for projects.
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/

How can I fund management practices and habitat restoration on irrigated agricultural lands?

The Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Program administers funds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency through section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act. The NPS Program focuses on reducing nonpoint source pollution from various sources including irrigated agricultural lands. The NPS Program awards about $4 million to an average of 10 projects per year. NPS projects rely on partnerships with landowners and non-profits or entities such as the Resource Conservation Districts.
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/nps/319grants.html

NPS grants to reduce nutrients, sediment, and pesticides are being implemented on the central coast. A list of current and completed projects can be found here:  
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/grants/open_and_completed_grants#319h.html

More information on funding opportunities on the central coast can be found here:  https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/ilp/funding_ops.html

How do I find out about drinking water and wastewater funding for underrepresented communities ?¹

The State Water Board’s Office of Sustainable Water Solutions promotes permanent and sustainable drinking water and wastewater solutions, particularly for small disadvantaged communities. Funding is available for financial and technical assistance needs through various financing mechanisms, such as grants and low interest loans to ensure effective and efficient provision of safe, clean, affordable, and reliable drinking water and wastewater treatment, services.

The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program (SAFER) is a set of tools, funding sources, and regulatory authorities designed to ensure that one million Californians who currently lack safe drinking water receive safe and affordable drinking water as quickly as possible. The Small Community Drinking Water (SCDW) Funding Program provides financial assistance for the planning/design and construction of drinking water infrastructure projects. 
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/sustainable_water_solutions/

The Wastewater Consolidation (WWC) Program facilitates the consolidation of inadequate onsite sewage treatment systems with centralized wastewater treatment systems for underrepresented communities. The Small Community Wastewater (SCWW) Funding Program provides financial assistance for eligible wastewater capital improvement projects.
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/wastewater_consolidation/

How can I find out what groundwater clean-up funding is available?
The Site Cleanup Subaccount Program (SCAP) provides grants to remediate the harm or threat of harm to human health, safety, or the environment caused by existing or threatened human-made contamination, where the responsible party lacks financial resources. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/scap/

How can I learn which projects the Water Board is planning to fund?

The State Board uses the State Revolving Fund (SRF) policies and guidelines to administer many grant and low interest loan programs. The Intended Use Plans (IUPs) describe the State Water Board’s plan for implementing the SRFs and some complementary grant programs. The annual Clean Water SRF IUP and Drinking Water SRF IUP identify the projects the State Water Board plans to fund through the SRF programs during the fiscal year. The State Board accepts applications on a continuous basis for various projects, such as the construction of municipal sewage, water recycling, and drinking water facilities.
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/srf/
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/services/funding/SRF.html

How can I learn more about available funding and be notified about funding fairs?

Search for various funding opportunities on California Grants Portal here: https://www.grants.ca.gov/

The Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) allows potential funding recipients to apply for grant and loan funding. Communities with a financial need are encouraged to apply. https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov/

Sign up for the State Water Board and Central Coast Water Board subscription lists here: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/grants/grant_funding_opp.html

Contact the Central Coast Water Board Grants Program Manager, Katie McNeill at Katie.McNeill@waterboards.ca.gov or at ( 805) 549-3336, or the State Water Board staff at the links above. 

How can I learn more about grant project sites?

Grant Project sites are now in GeoTracker, and they can be found here:
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/

Grant Projects are implementing Total Maximum Daily Loads, and Automated Report Cards can be found here:
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdl/report-cards.html

Grantees report pollutant load reductions for nonpoint source projects, and water quality improvements can be found here:
https://mywaterway.epa.gov/community/salinas%20river/restore

For more information, please contact Katie McNeill at katie.mcneill@waterboards.ca.gov.