Low-interest and no-interest loans for local governments to fund wastewater and stormwater improvements.
What does this funding get me?
- Low-interest loans (1/2 of market interest rates)
- Limited amount of principal forgiveness loans
- 0% interest loans available for Green Projects and for rehabilitation projects for certain local government units
Am I eligible?
Local Government Units (counties, cities, towns, sanitary districts, etc.)
How can I access the money?
The grant is part of the IIJA. In Pennsylvania, it is being offered by the Department of Environmental Protection. Visit DEP’s web page on the CWSRF for full details.
Eligible Projects
- Wastewater treatment
- Wastewater collection
- Reclaimed water
- Stormwater Best Management Practices
- Stream restoration
- Energy efficiency at treatment works or collection systems
Key Program Requirements
- Loan maximum is $35 million
- Construction must start within 24 months of Letter of Intent to Fund
- Closing fee of 2% (which cannot be financed)
- Local Government Commission (LGC) must approve all loans
What is the timeline?
The CWSRF Program has two funding cycles per year, typically in March and September.
Where can I get more information?
- The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD) Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health (CEEJH), and Environmental Finance Center (EFC), alongside multiple community-based partners will lead the Region 3 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center for the Mid-Atlantic region. The NWF is also extending its Region 3 community presence through community hubs such as the Overbrook Education Center in Pennsylvania. To inquire about Technical Assistance regarding the EJ Communities Grantmaking Program, contact the NWF at (202) 792-5350 or 1-800-757-1405, or email region3tctac@gmail.com. For more information, visit NWF’s website here.
- For specific questions on this program or for more assistance, contact Matt Salton at cleanenergy@conservationpa.org.