Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Virginia Department of Health
Board
State Board of Health

General Notice
Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds
Date Posted: 1/24/2020
Expiration Date: 4/30/2020
Submitted to Registrar for publication: YES
No comment forum defined for this notice.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is pleased to announce several opportunities for funding drinking water infrastructure.  ALL applications may be submitted year round; however, VDH will conduct one round of evaluations for those applications submitted by the deadlines indicated below.  VDH will consider applications postmarked/received after the stated deadlines for funding in the following round.  Funding is made possible by our Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program and the Water Supply Assistance Grant Fund (WSAG) Program (if funds are available).  Our FY 2021 DWSRF Intended Use Plan will be developed using your input on these issues.

1. Public Comments and Set-Aside Suggestions Invited   (Submission deadline April 10)

To identify ways to improve our Program, VDH seeks meaningful input from the public, the waterworks industry, or any other interested party. Anyone may make comments or recommendations to support or revise the DWSRF and WSAG Programs.  Anyone has the opportunity to suggest new or continuing set-aside (non-construction) activities.  Set-aside funds help VDH assist waterworks owners prepare for future drinking water challenges and assure the sustainability of safe drinking water. 

2. Construction, Consolidation, and Refinance Fund Requests   (Application deadline April 10)

Owners of community waterworks and nonprofit non-community waterworks are eligible to apply for construction funds.  VDH makes selections based on criteria described in the DWSRF Program Design Manual, such as:  existing public health problems, noncompliance, affordability, regionalization, and the availability of matching funds.  VDH anticipates a funding level of $30 million. 

3. 1452(k) Source Water Protection Initiatives   (Application deadline April 10)

Loan funds are available to: (1) community and non-profit non-community waterworks to acquire land/conservation easements and (2) community waterworks, only to establish local voluntary incentive-based protection measures.

4. Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement Program:  (Application deadline April 10)

In an effort to accelerate the removal of lead in drinking water, the DWSRF Program has made funding available for the complete removal of the public and/or private portion of LSLs.  In conjunction with other available funds, this program intends to provide up to $5000 dollars as grant funds (of which up to $500 may be eligible as an admin fee) for each service line replaced on the homeowner’s side of the meter.   The LSL includes pipe entry into the structure (up to shut off valve) but excludes the premise plumbing.  

VDH’s DWSRF Program Design Manual describes the features of the above opportunities for funding. After receiving the aforementioned public input, VDH will develop an Intended Use Plan (IUP) for public review and comment.  When developed, the IUP will describe specific details for use of the funds.  A public meeting is planned and written comments will be accepted before submittal of a final version to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval.

Applications, set-aside suggestion forms, Program Design Manuals, and information materials are available on our web site: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/financial-construction-assistance-programs/drinking-water-funding-program-details/  This information can also be obtained from Kelly Ward, FCAP Director, by calling (804) 864-7500, faxing (804) 864-7521, or writing to VDH – ODW, 109 Governor St., 6th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.  Any comments should be directed to Ms. Ward. 

Drinking Water Construction Funding Workshop

VDH will offer the funding informational meeting via webcast.  The workshop has been recorded. The link will be provided on the website at a later date.

Material will focus on Drinking Water Construction funding available through VDH and staff will discuss the DWSRF Program.  The workshop will also include information about program criteria, program applications, and the project scheduling steps needed for smooth project implementation.


Contact Information
Name / Title: Kelly Ward  / VDH-ODW FCAP Director
Address: 109 Governor Street, 6th Floor
Richmond, 23219
Email Address: kelly.ward@vdh.virginia.gov
Telephone: (804)864-7201    FAX: ()-    TDD: ()-