The Source Water Protection (SWP) Local Assistance Program provides financial assistance to water systems, local governments, tribes, conservation districts, and non-profits for Group A source water protection. This program receives funding through the EPA Clean Water Act Wellhead 106 Grant and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) set asides.
These funds support drinking water protection projects that increase water quality, water quantity, or reduce the risk of contamination and other harmful outcomes within a source water protection area or watershed.
We encourage applications that focus on wellhead and spring source protection, groundwater source modeling, riparian restoration, and watershed health. We also encourage applicants that complete planning or preparatory work required for larger funding programs like the Clean Water SRF.
Key Information
- We accept applications year-round until available funding is spent.
- Funding operates on a reimbursement basis under a formal written contract.
- We require project status reports and final summary reports. Deliverables are identified and negotiated in scope of work.
- Use of subconsultants to complete work under this program must follow state and federal procurement regulations. Applicants who have already retained a subconsultant may be required to submit documentation of procurement methods.
- Applicants must have the necessary registration numbers to receive federal funds and contract with us (UEI, UBI, Federal Tax ID, Statewide Vendor number).
- Entities receiving funding may be subject to federal subrecipient fiscal monitoring.
- We may award projects up to $250,000 per project. Proposed budgets should reasonably reflect the project's scope and scale. Some organizations may be limited to $40,000 per project depending on federal subrecipient status (determined after application review by our Fiscal Monitoring Unit.)
- A Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) is required for projects that involve collecting, producing, evaluating, or using environmental data. Find more information in EPA's QAPP Guidance (PDF).
How to Apply
- Access our Source Water Protection Application 331-696 (Word).
- Find more information in our Local Assistance Program Guidelines 331-552 (PDF).
- For questions about eligibility or funding availability, contact Chelsea Cannard 564-233-1799.
Explore Project Types
- General Funding program flyer 331-811 (PDF).
- Regional Projects 331-812 (PDF).
- Modeling Groundwater or Wellhead Protection Areas 331-813 (PDF).
- Watershed Protection Projects 331-814 (PDF).
Resources for Grant Recipients
- Our SWP Recipient Guide 331-797 (PDF) has information about reporting and billing.
- These templates help you prepare required reports:
Free Technical Assistance Available
We are now offering free technical assistance through third-party consultants to assist with groundwater and hydrogeologic assessments. This opportunity is for Group A water systems, local governments, or regional groups who do not have the capacity to manage a funding contract, do not already have a consultant retained, and who have source protection issues but are unsure about how to approach resolving them.
Projects may include integrated hydrogeologic assessments, aquifer testing and characterization, fate and transport studies, and groundwater modeling. Priority is given to projects with regional focus, and/or wellhead protection area modeling. To apply for technical assistance, complete the Hydrogeologic Technical Assistance Application 331-815 (Word) and email to Chelsea Cannard.