EPA's Equipment Loan Programs

What are Equipment Loan Programs?

Several EPA regional offices operate small equipment loan programs for measuring air and water pollution. These programs provide training and technical support to help groups properly use the equipment.

To participate in an EPA equipment loan program, participatory science groups must follow certain documentation requirements, which vary between regions. This may include, but is not limited to: a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), monthly usage updates, and a final report recording the equipment's usage, collected data, and any issues encountered. Please reach out to your regional Equipment Loan Program contact for specifics on their program.

Below are featured air and water equipment loan programs that are offered by EPA around the U.S.

Explore EPA’s Equipment Loan Programs:

Air Sensor Loan Programs

EPA has established air sensor loan programs independently and through various collaborations with libraries, tribes, museums and others to enable the public to learn about air quality in their communities. These programs bring air sensor technology advances to the public for educational purposes.

EPA's Active Air Sensor Loan Programs Include:

Air Sensor Loan Program for the Midwest and Upper Midwest States
Air Sensor Loan Programs for Remote/Rural Locations and Living Museum
Los Angeles Public Library Air Sensor Loan Program
Portable Air Monitoring Device Loan Program for Tribes
Air Sensor Loan Project in Tribal Communities

Click here to read more about these air sensor loan programs.

Water Equipment Loan Programs

Region 1 New England Stormwater Toolbox

Stock photo of a storm water drain releasing water into a river or creek

This equipment loan program provides tools that enable volunteers to conduct stormwater monitoring. Polluted stormwater runoff in urbanized areas adversely impacts the Nation's waters, and poses a significant threat to public health. The stormwater toolbox supports volunteer water quality monitoring groups in their sampling efforts by providing equipment and quality-assured protocols for collecting high quality data.

Equipment offered: Water quality monitoring equipment such as a YSI, Colorimeter, Test strips to monitor WQ parameters, Chlorine, Ammonia, and Surfactants

When is it Open: On a seasonal basis. Contact Michelle Coombs for more information.

Who Can Apply: Participatory science groups in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Contact: Michelle Coombs

Region 2 Participatory Science Water Monitoring Equipment Loan Program

Picture of Water Equipment Loan Program in San Juan

This equipment loan program provides access to field and laboratory equipment for water monitoring work. The goal of the program is to provide the tools and a framework to enable non-profit organizations to collect scientific data of known quality, increase spatial and temporal data collection, and to collaborate with government at all levels in protecting the environment. The equipment loan program will allow everyone to have access to uniform monitoring equipment to collect data that can help EPA and our regulatory partners, fulfill their mission of safeguarding Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American. In addition to the water monitoring loan explained below, the region also maintains an air sensor loan program.

Equipment Available for Loan:

Field Equipment: Garmin GPS units, turbidity tubes and YSI Multi-Parameter Sondes for measuring general water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, conductivity, and salinity.
- Manta Trawl for Microplastics: only 1 available; requires use of a boat (minimum 18 footer)
Laboratory equipment for fecal indicator bacteria monitoring: tabletop incubators with thermometer, IDEXX Quanti-Tray sealers and iserts, UV viewing cabinet with UV bulb, infrared thermometer for samples, manual pipette pumps

Eligibility:

Open to all not-for-profit organizations, academic institutions, local governments, states, and other non-EPA organizations within New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Tribal Nations.

Training:

Region 2 Staff will provide a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) that outlines technical components of a project using the equipment provided, and users provide specific information about their project. Training on equipment can be made available virtually, or in-person if the borrower is within reasonable travel distance and staff are available. EPA Region 2 does not offer assistance on project management or data analysis. EPA Region 2 staff will be available to answer specific questions during a loan project.

Shipping:

When possible, EPA Region 2 will coordinate with loanees on a situational basis for dropoff/pickup logistics, only shipping when necessary, as some equipment is very large. As per the EPA rules, the recipient shall "assume all cost involved in...transporting the loaned property from and to EPA". Shipping cost arrangements will be discussed on an individual basis.

Application: For application information, please reach out to Rachael Leta-Graham.

Prospective applicants can apply to the loan program at any time of the year, with applications accepted on rolling basis, based on project merit, order of receipt, and equipment availability. Loans vary in length from 1-12 months. New applications are expected to be reviewed quarterly.

Eligible Borrowers must submit a complete application describing the project background, timeline, goals, and objectives; attest and adhere to quality assurance measures; complete required reading and submittal of QAPP prior to equipment use; and submit a final report no later than 6 months after the end of the loan period.

Additional Information:

Applicants are responsible for all consumables required for project--bacteria analysis consumables generally run about $20/sample. See request for Application or reach out to the contact for a list with vendor options and pricing.
Recipients in New York, New Jersey, and Tribal Nations will receive equipement directly from EPA staff at the Edison Environmental Center in NJ.
Recipients in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive equipment from one of EPA Region 2's Equipment Loan Centers on Puerto Rico, St. Thomas or St. Croix.

Contact: Rachael Leta-Graham