Interim and Emergency Funding Assistance for Schools

The purpose of the Bottled Water for Schools (BWFS) Grant Program is to provide bottled drinking water to eligible schools with a water quality or water supply issue.

Eligibility

Eligible sites include schools serving kindergarten or any of grades 1-12, and preschools and child day care facilities located on public school property statewide. Schools must have a documented water quality or supply issue.

How to Apply

For schools interested in applying, please reach out to Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) via email at agua4all@rcac.org. Please include the name of the school(s), district name, and a description and documentation of the water quality or supply issue the school(s) are facing. RCAC will assist the school in preparing an application.

Funding Process Overview

The Program is administered by RCAC who works directly with vendors to set up and manage delivery of bottled drinking water to approved schools. The Program provides up to ¼ of a gallon per person per school day. Approved schools will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RCAC before deliveries can be made. For additional information on the MOU requirements, please visit RCAC's webpage: Bottled Water for Schools - RCAC.

The purpose of Drinking Water for Schools (DWFS) Grant Program is to improve access to, and the quality of, drinking water in public schools located within or serving disadvantaged communities (DACs). An additional $6.8 million has been authorized for the DWFS Grant Program (Round 2). Grant funds were awarded to Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) and Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), and they will act as Program Administrators. The first priority will be schools with impaired water quality. Program Administrators will reach out throughout the life of the program to schools meeting priority criteria.

To receive additional information on the program as it develops, please sign up for the Drinking Water for Schools email list ("Financial Assistance"; section).

Eligibility

Eligibility entities include Local Education Agencies (LEAs) serving kindergarten, or any of grates 1-12, inclusive, and preschools and child day care facilities, located on public school property statewide. Schools must be located within or serving a DAC. Schools must also have a documented water quality or supply issue.

How to Apply

For schools interested in applying, please reach out to RCAC or SHE. Please include the name of the school(s), district name, and a description and documentation of the water quality or supply issue the school(s) are facing. Webpages for Program Administrators are listed below under Reference Material for Round 2 Awarded Projects and contain directions on how to apply.

Funding Process Overview

Program Administrators will work directly with eligible school districts to develop and fund projects. LEAs can also complete an application and implement the project themselves or obtain assistance from SHE or RCAC. Technical Assistance from SHE and RCAC includes completing funding application, overseeing and inspecting project installations, monitoring, as well as planning and conducting operations and maintenance.

Governing Guidelines

• Drinking Water for Schools Round 2 Guidelines

Reference Material for Round 2 Awarded Projects

• RCAC Webpage
• SHE Webpage
• DWFS Flyer
• Awarded Program Administrators

Coming soon! This map will show all active and closed BWFS and DWFS schools.

Public schools facing drinking water emergencies (well failure, emergency repairs) may be eligible for Urgent Drinking Water Needs Funding as well. Typically, emergency repairs are only funded if shown to be a more cost-effective interim solution than provision of bottled or hauled water through the BWFS or DWFS Programs. For more information on this program, please visit the Urgent Drinking Water Needs webpage.

Email: DFA-CAA@waterboards.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 319-9066