Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)

General Information

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) makes funds available to drinking water systems to pay for infrastructure improvements. This program is funded through federal and state money and subject to state laws and additional federal regulations.

The program provides:

  • Low-interest construction loans to publicly (municipal) and privately owned drinking water systems. These loans cover capital improvements that increase public health and compliance with drinking water regulations.
  • Construction loan repayments can range from 20 to 30 years. In some cases, partial loan forgiveness is offered.
  • Planning and engineering loans to cover preconstruction work and activities such as water system plans, engineering designs, and cultural reviews.
  • Consolidation Feasibility Study grants allow larger Group A community water systems such as cities, town, counties, public utility districts, and water districts to determine feasibility and capital improvements needed to consolidate smaller or struggling water systems into their service area.

There are many federal requirements for loans and grants from DWSRF. Requirements include completion of cultural and environmental reviews, SEPA, Davis Bacon Act, Build America Buy America, loan management, construction management, and others. 

Draft Intended Use Plans

Our draft DWSRF Intended Use Plan 331-722 (PDF) is available for public comment until June 26, 2024. Please submit comments to DWSRF@doh.wa.gov. 

Our draft Lead Service Line Inventory IUP 331-724 (PDF) is available for public comment until June 26, 2024. Please submit comments to DWSRF@doh.wa.gov.

Are you eligible for DWSRF?

Secure Access Washington

Contact Sara Herrera 360-236-3089 to register for the Washington Loan Tracking (WALT) online loan and grant management tool. 

Lead Service Line Loan

Lead Service Line Inventory—April 2023

This funding program was open for applications April 1–April 28, 2023. Eligible projects include lead service line inventories and lead service line replacements. See the following documents for more information.

Planning and Engineering

Planning and Engineering Loan applications are accepted year-round. Eligible projects will be funded on a first-come basis until funding is exhausted. We provide the following guidelines, fact sheets, application worksheets, and webinar presentations for your information.

Asset Management Training

Asset Management training counts toward bonus points on your DWSRF application. Rural Communities Assistance Corporation (RCAC) offers free online and in-person classes. Look for Asset Management training on their calendar. Narrow your search on the right menu of the calendar to “Free WA Drinking Water Workshops.”

How to Apply Online Using WALT

Washington Loan Tracking (WALT) is the Washington State Department of Health Office of Drinking Water's online loan and grant management tool. You may submit applications for funding opportunities, check the status of your application, and submit applicable documentation through WALT.

NOTE: Pre-registration is required to access WALT this year. If you're already in the WALT system, no action is needed.

For WALT Pre-registration and other user help, please email DWSRF@DOH.WA.GOV.

Please refer to the Washington Loan Tracking External User Guide 331-614 (PDF).

After You Are Approved for a Loan

Environmental review and cultural review

All federally funded infrastructure projects must undergo both an environmental and a cultural review. These identify and analyze potential impacts a project might have on environmental, historical, and cultural resources.

Contracting

If your project is funded, refer to the DWSRF Customer Loan Handbook 331-586 (PDF) for your next steps. Here's a Loan Payment Calculator for your use.   

Consolidation Feasibility/Regionalization: August

The funding program will open again for applications August 1 through 31, 2023. Applicants must be a city, town, county, public utility district, water district, or an approved Satellite Management Agency.

Construction: October–November

2022 Construction Loan Cycle DRAFT Funding List (PDF)

This funding program will open again for applications October 1 to November 30, 2023. The following documents are available from the 2022 funding cycle.

Source Water Protection—Ongoing

We will add content soon.

Emergency Loan Program

Group A not-for-profit water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people can apply for a loan of up to $500,000 to cover emergency recovery activities.
DWSRF program guidelines allow states to use funds from this program for recovery activities related to emergencies, such as drought and wildfires. This loan program will ensure we are ready and able to award loans to water systems that may be in violation of health and safety standards due to an emergency.

Systems can use the funds for construction, reconstruction, replacement, rehabilitation, temporary repair, generator or treatment equipment rentals, or improvement needed to continue or restore drinking water service.

Read the DWSRF Emergency Guidelines 331-545 (PDF) to understand the requirements for this program and gather necessary documentation.

When ready, you can apply using the DWSRF Emergency Loan Application Form 331-542-F (Word).

Contacts

Mail and physical addresses.

More Resources