Federal Infrastructure Water & Clean Water (Wastewater) Funding – Ohio EPA Webinar (4/27/22)

OEPA Webinar 4/27/22

Webinar Handouts

Webinar Presentation

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Program Factsheet

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Emerging Contaminants & Lead Service Line Guidance

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Summary

Portions of the Federal Infrastructure Bill are being administered through the Ohio EPA, including water and wastewater funding. Five years of funding will be routed through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund and the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account. Funding is intended for three main purposes:

  1. More funds for the core State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs for clean water and drinking water, also known as the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) and the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) respectively. Includes principal forgiveness for communities that qualify.
  2. Projects addressing emerging contaminants.
  3. Lead service line replacement projects.

Infrastructure Bill funds are a combination of loans and principal forgiveness. There is a focus on distressed communities (see criteria below) overall, but especially for qualifying for principal forgiveness. Two new programs are established to treat emerging contaminants and lead service lines.

Project readiness is a key factor, these are projects that on the way to implementation, more specifically projects that have design underway or design completed, i.e. “ready to go toward construction”.

Some funds may be set aside for design, but specifics are not yet available.

Loans & Principal Forgiveness

Principal forgiveness has been traditionally targeted to communities under 10,000, but with the proposed changes some disadvantaged communities in larger areas may be eligible too.

Proposed Disadvantaged Communities Definitions

Water Pollution Control Fund Criteria (must meet 3/4 criteria)
  1. Median household income LESS THAN $58,116.
  2. Unemployment rate GREATER THAN 3.3%.
  3. Individuals with poverty rate below 200% of poverty level GREATER THAN 30.4%.
  4. Percent population change LESS THAN 50% increase.
Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Criteria (must have documented human health-related factors and meet 3/4 other criteria)

Must have documented human health-related factors addressing acute contamination and impacts to human health AND 3/4 following criteria:

  1. Water & sewer rates LESS THAN 2.5% of Median Household Income
  2. Median household income LESS THAN $58,116
  3. Individuals with poverty rate below 200% of poverty level GREATER THAN 30.4%.
  4. Unemployment rate GREATER THAN 3.3%.

Emerging Contaminants Projects

No state match is required, but can only be used to address emerging contaminants. All State Revolving Fund requirements apply, however 100% of these funds can go out as Principal Forgiveness. Projects addressing PFAS (or other “forever chemicals”), antimicrobial resistant bacteria, pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials or microplastics/nanoplastics. Project addressing nutrients and other contaminants covered under NDPS permit limits are NOT eligible. See additional guidance document and the fact sheet (also above).

Lead Service Line Replacement Projects

No state matching is required, can be used for the design and construction of lead service line replacement. Distressed communities/areas (see above) may be eligible for principal loan forgiveness. Projects must replace public and private line replacement. Identification and mapping is eligible, but should be separate from a replacement project.

Drinking Water Timelines

  • Lead Service Line and Emerging Contaminants, call for nominations August 2022
  • Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), call for nominations February 2023
  • Planning and design loans can be nominated at any time.

Wastewater Timelines

  • Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), call for nominations August 2022

Examples of Eligible Clean Water Projects Funded in 2021

  • New regional WWTPs WWTP renovations
  • Sanitary sewer extensions to unserved areas on septic tanks
  • Sanitary sewer rehabilitations
  • Large diameter deep tunnels
  • Combined sewer separation
  • Storm sewer construction with a water quality benefit
  • Pump station upgrades
  • Sludge digestion and storage
  • WWTP odor control project
  • Back-up generator installation
  • Home sewage treatment system repairs and replacements
  • Stream and wetland restoration
  • Planning, design, and construction

Examples of Eligible Water Supply Projects Funded in 2021

  • Water storage tank replacements
  • WTP improvements for HAB, disinfection byproducts, etc…
  • WTP rehabilitation projects
  • New waterlines to unserved areas
  • Water main replacements
  • New WTPs and wells
  • Interconnections with another PWS
  • Water masterplan update
  • WTP generator improvements
  • Water meter replacements
  • Lead service line replacements
  • Consolidation projects
  • Pump station replacements
  • Planning, design, and construction