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Prepare for Funding: Know the Basics of Disaster Funding for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities

To find the best funding opportunities for your utility, look at program requirements, availability of funds, and eligible uses. Also consider:

Grants, reimbursement, and loans

Grants may need matching funds from a state or federal agency
Reimbursements fund repair work done by utilities after a disaster
Loans often involve low-interest rates

Pre- and post-disaster funding

Some programs provide pre-disaster funding (for example, mitigation)
Others address repair, replacement, and recovery after a disaster

Funding triggers

Some funding is triggered when the President declares a disaster area
Other funding is based on annual application deadlines
Mitigation can lessen the financial impact on utilities and communities
Some programs require utilities to be part of a local mitigation plan

Mitigation funding

Consider options to reduce or eliminate losses from future disasters and repetitive damages
Review triggers for individual programs