Drinking Water For Schools Grant Program

The Drinking Water For Schools (DWFS) Grant Program was initially allocated and has awarded $9.5 million in grants funds to school districts to improve access to, and the quality of, drinking water in public schools (Round 1). Funds were awarded pursuant to Senate Bill 828, consistent with the DWFS Guidelines adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) on May 16, 2017.
An additional $6.8 million has been authorized for the DWFS Grant Program (Round 2). Guidelines for this additional funding were approved in June of 2019. Grant funds were awarded to Self-Help Enterprises and Rural Community Assistance Corporation and they will act as Program Administrators. These Program Administrators will work directly with eligible school districts to develop and fund projects for disadvantaged community schools. The first priority will be schools with impaired water quality. Program Administrators will be reaching out to those schools meeting priority criteria in the next several months.
To receive additional information on the program as it develops, please sign up on our email list under "Subscribe to our Email Lists".
Quick Links
Announcements
Notice of Funding Availability: Drinking Water For Schools Round 2 Grant Program
Coming Soon
- Approved funding list for Round 2 projects
Subscribe to our Email Lists
- Sign up for the Drinking Water for Schools email list ("Financial Assistance"; section) to receive updates on this program as it is developed.
Contacts
Matt Pavelchik, PG
Senior Engineering Geologist, Program Manager
(916) 319-8258
Matthew.Pavelchik@waterboards.ca.gov
Ravi Jawanda, Water Resources Control Engineer
(916) 341-5865
Ravinder.Jawanda@waterboards.ca.gov
Division of Financial Assistance
Drinking Water For Schools Grant Program
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Related Programs
LEAD SAMPLING OF DRINKING WATER IN CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/ drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/ leadsamplinginschools.html
Other Funding Opportunities
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) This funding is for planning and/or construction of a permanent solution to a drinking water need.
Cleanup and Abatement Account (CAA) This program is to address urgent drinking water needs such as the emergency repair of a well or to provide replacement (bottled or hauled) water.
Reference Material for Round 1 Awarded Projects
- "Are We Providing Our School Kids Safe Drinking Water? An Analysis of California Schools Impacted by Unsafe Drinking Water" - a report by the Community Water Center and the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water.
- DWFS June 11, 2019 Webinar for Grantees
- DWFS June 11, 2019 Webinar PowerPoint slides with notes
- DWFS FAQ’s