I Need Funding

Hurricane Helene Emergency Funding

DEQ can provide emergency loans to local governments and nonprofit water/wastewater providers that have sustained significant damage to their drinking water and wastewater systems due to Hurricane Helene, creating a public health hazard.

Submit a request for emergency funding (for local governments and nonprofit water/wastewater providers significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene only)
Questions and Answers (FAQs) document: Emergency Funding for Local Government Units' Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems Impacted by Hurricane Helene (as of 10/18/24) Please note that this document will be frequently updated, with dates of each update indicated.

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

Fall 2024 Applications for Funding

Applications were due on Oct. 15, 2024. Applications are currently being reviewed. Funding decisions by the State Water Infrastructure Authority are scheduled to occur in Feb. 2025. The next round of applications for funding will begin in early March 2025, with a deadline of April 30, 2025.

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 Fall 2024 funding round information

Lead Service Line Replacement Funding

Learn more about available funding for lead service line replacement

Emerging Contaminants Funding

Learn more about available funding to address PFAS

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.