Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program. This grant program assists medium and large size public water systems with protecting drinking water sources from natural hazards, extreme weather events, and cybersecurity threats.
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Available Funding
The FY 25 competition is now open. Approximately $9.5M in competitive funding is available under this opportunity for eligible applicants seeking funding for eligible project activities identified in the NOFO. The application period is open until October 6, 2025, and can be found on www.grants.gov under opportunity number EPA-OW-OGWDW-25-01, assistance listing number 66.488. Applicants will have 60 days to apply.
Types of Projects that can be funded through this Grant Program
Funding through this grant program must be used for the planning, design, construction, implementation, operation, or maintenance of a program or project that increases resilience of public water systems to natural hazards. Examples of projects include:
- Conservation of water or the enhancement of water use efficiency
- Modification or relocation of existing drinking water system infrastructure significantly impaired by natural hazards
- Design or construction of desalination facilities to serve existing communities
- Enhancement of water supply though watershed management and source water protection
- Enhancement of energy efficiency or the use and generation of renewable energy in the conveyance or treatment of drinking water
- Development and implementation of measures to increase the resilience of the drinking water system to natural hazards and extreme weather events; or to reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Formation of regional water partnerships to collaboratively address documented water shortages
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for this grant program include public water systems that serve a population of 10,000 people or more. Projects or programs that may be funded through this opportunity are those which aim to increase the resilience of a water system to natural hazards, extreme weather events, or reduce cybersecurity threats.
A midsize community is identified in Section 1459F(f)(2) of the SDWA as one that has a population of equal to or greater than 10,000 individuals and fewer than 100,000 individuals, and a large community is identified as one that has a population equal to or greater than 100,000 individuals.
Timeline
A general overview of the FY25 grant cycle is outlined below.
How to Apply
The grant program is a competitive program. Applications must be submitted exclusively through grants.gov, under opportunity number EPA-OW-OGWDW-25-01, assistance listing number 66.488.
Application instructions are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), posted here: EPA-OW-OGWDW-25-01 (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions
Factsheet
Resilience Grants Factsheet (pdf)
Outreach and Public Education
As part of the outreach campaign for this grant program, EPA will host webinars pertaining to drinking water system infrastructure resilience.Relevant presentations and webinars will be posted in this section as they become available.
Upcoming Webinar Presentation
EPA will host a webinar about the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program on August 19, 2025 from 2:00-3:00PM EST. Click here to register for the webinar.
Additional Resources
Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act
Overview
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("IIJA") includes the Build America, Buy America Act ("the Act"). The Act strengthens Made in America Laws and will bolster America’s industrial base, protect national security, and support high-paying jobs. The Act requires that no later than May 14, 2022, the head of each covered Federal agency shall ensure that “none of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure, including each deficient program, may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.”
The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Made in America Office released its guidance for implementing the Build America, Buy America Act. In regards to grant funding, OMB is proposing to revise the current OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreements. The proposed amendments are intended to provide guidance and clarify requirements for the manufactured products content test and non-ferrous construction materials.
Webinar presentations
- Build America, Buy America Act Implementation Webinar Presentation (April 2022) (pdf) (1.35 MB)
- Build America, Buy America Act Office of Water Implementation Procedures Webinar (November 2022) (pdf) (3.61 MB)
The Drinking Water Grants Program team is working to standardize and implement the process to support grant recipients with the BABA requirements and how to request/apply for a waiver if they are eligible. In that effort, we have established a grant inbox for the purpose of questions and eventually receiving waiver requests. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the grants team points of contact at HQ or send your questions/requests to BABA-DrinkingWaterGrants@epa.gov
Contact Information
Email: Resiliencygrant@epa.gov