Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant

The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant, offered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, aims to provide funding to public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities. This initiative focuses on addressing emerging contaminants, including PFAS, ensuring safe drinking water through technical assistance, water quality testing, and community engagement. The grant supports sustainable practices and environmental justice while enhancing public health and community resilience.

About DEP
A national leader. A balanced approach. A commitment to be guided by science. That is the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
With hard work, exceptional knowledge and expertise, the DEP’s staff has made the agency an unfailing guardian of New Jersey’s precious natural and historic resources.
DEP MISSION
Committed to sustainable economic growth, NJDEP invests in communities and infrastructure, provides quality open and recreational spaces for residents and visitors, enforces environmental laws, and furthers the promise of environmental justice for all.
Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant (EC-SDC)
Purpose of Funding
To provide grants to public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities in order to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS.

Eligibility

Who is EligibleThe project activities must take place within a small or disadvantaged community. Eligible activities include:Efforts to address emerging contaminants in drinking water that would benefit a small or disadvantaged community on a per household basis;Technical assistance to evaluate emerging contaminant problems;Programs to provide household water-quality testing, including testing for unregulated contaminants; Local contractor training;Activities necessary and appropriate for a state to respond to an emerging contaminant.Qualifications Required for ConsiderationQualifying communities must be as described in section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA):“Disadvantaged Community” is one determined by the state to be disadvantaged under the affordability criteria established by the state under section 1452(d)(3) of the Safe Drinking Water Act or may become a disadvantaged community as a result of carrying out a project or activity under the grant program. As with the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, each state has statutory discretion to set its own criteria.“Small Community” is one that has a population of less than 10,000 individuals that the Administrator determines does not have the capacity to incur debt sufficient to finance a project or activity under the grant program. This is a statutory definition.