I Need Funding
Hurricane Helene Emergency Funding for Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
DWI can provide funding assistance to local governments, nonprofit water/wastewater providers, and investor-owned drinking water companies that were impacted by Hurricane Helene in two ways: emergency bridge loans and State Revolving Fund loans (with principal forgiveness).
Emergency Bridge Loans: A short-term, zero-interest loan from State-appropriated funds.
- Submit a request for emergency funding (for local governments and nonprofit water/wastewater providers only)
- Frequently Asked Questions: Emergency Bridge Loan Funding for Local Government Units and Nonprofit Water Corporations' Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems Impacted by Hurricane Helene (updated 1/15/25)
State Revolving Fund Helene (SA-HMW) Loans: A long-term, zero-interest loan with principal forgiveness that is exclusive to Helene-impacted communities
- Submit a pre-application for SRF Helene funding
- Infosheet: SRF Hurricane Helene Funding (updated 5/30/25)
- PowerPoint Presentation: SRF Funding for Hurricane Helene (from May 2025 workshops)
- Draft Intended Use Plans (IUPs) for public comments:
- Draft IUP for DWSRF Helene funds (comment by 6/20/2025)
- Draft IUP for CWSRF Helene funds (comment by 6/20/2025)
- Draft IUP for CWSRF Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems Helene funds (comment by 6/30/25)
Rolling Applications for Funding for Lead Service Line Inventory/Replacement (LSLR) Projects and for Evaluation/Assessment Projects to Address PFAS in Drinking Water /Wastewater Systems (Emerging Contaminants- Studies)
- Download the application
- Go to the Application Forms and Additional Resources webpage for other required documents and resources
- Submit the completed application and supporting documentation
Application Process, Forms, Guidance and Resources
- Each application includes a priority rating form that assists the Division in evaluating the proposed project in terms of prioritization established by the State Water Infrastructure Authority
- After the deadline for each funding round, the Division reviews all applications and assigns priority rating points as described in the guidance based on information provided in the application.
- The Division ranks the projects in priority point order and presents this information to the State Water Infrastructure Authority.
- The Authority is responsible for selecting the applications to receive project funding.
Visit the Application Training page for additional Spring 2025 funding round information
Available Funding Programs
The division provides low-interest loans and grants for local governments and certain other non-profit entities for water infrastructure through the following programs:
- Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF): Provides low-interest loans to local government units to fund wastewater collection and treatment facilities as well as programs associated with estuary and non-point sources.
- Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Provides low-interest loans to local government units, non-profit water corporations and investor-owned drinking water companies for projects to provide safe drinking water.
- Community Development Block Grant – Infrastructure Provides grants to local government units to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs in HUD qualified low-to-moderate income communities.
- State Wastewater & Drinking Water Reserve Programs: Provides grants for technical assistance and for construction of critical needs for wastewater collection systems, wastewater treatment works, and public water system projects.
- Merger/Regionalization Feasibility Grant Program: Provides grants for studies to evaluate the potential consolidation of two or more systems into one system and the potential physical interconnection with another system for regional wastewater treatment or regional water supply.
- Asset Inventory and Assessment Grant Program: Provides grants for developing asset inventories, condition assessment of critical assets, and other components of a comprehensive asset management programs.
- Viable Utilities Program: Provides funding to build a path toward viable utility systems using long-term solutions for distressed water and wastewater units in North Carolina.
- Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments Program (LASII): Provides grants for construction and planning for stormwater projects to improve or create infrastructure for controlling stormwater quality and quantity.
- Lead Service Line Replacement Funding: Provides funding specifically to identify, inventory, and replace lead service lines and lead connectors throughout water systems. Funds will be available in late 2023 to local governments, non-profit water companies and investor-owned water utilities.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding
- Requesting Additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds for State Water Infrastructure Authority-awarded ARPA projects only (after bids have been received)
- Division of Water Infrastructure American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Administration Plan- Feb. 2022
ARPA LASII Stormwater Administration Plan (Aug. 15, 2022)
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