Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund: Emerging Contaminants (EC) Program (OR) Grant

Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund: Emerging Contaminants (EC) Program (OR) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Business Oregon
Amount: Up to US $10,000
Last Updated: January 11, 2026

Summary

The Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund's Emerging Contaminants Program in Oregon provides low-cost financing for public water systems to improve drinking water quality. Funded by the EPA, it focuses on addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS and prioritizes projects in disadvantaged communities. Applications are accepted year-round, with funding contingent on available grants and eligibility criteria. This initiative highlights a commitment to enhancing public health and ensuring safe drinking water access for all communities.

Overview

NOTE: Completed applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Letter of Inquiry - This deadline represents when the prospective applicants must submit a no-obligation application form to apply. Full Proposal - Invite Only - After the annual submission deadline, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will evaluate submitted applications for the project’s eligibility and score based on the emerging contaminant and affordability​​ criteria. All eligible applications will be ranked and included on the EC Project Priority List (PPL) for a two-year period. After the PPL is published, depending on available funds in the program, Business Oregon may invite a water system to formally apply for funding. Projects rated and ranked highest by OHA that demonstrate a readiness to proceed with the program are invited first to apply for funding. Additionally, highest ranked projects are given priority for potential forgivable loan awards based on availability of funds. The project will be removed from the PPL and funding consideration if the applicant does not execute a contract during this two-year period. Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund The Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund (SDWRLF), known nationally as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), is a federal-state partnership program jointly implemented by Business Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and is funded by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This program offers low-cost financing to assist public water systems with planning, design, and construction of drinking water facility improvements. Emerging Contaminants (EC) Program (OR) Eligible projects submitted to this program may be considered for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Emerging Contaminants funding, as well as Emerging Contaminants (EC) in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant (SDC) funding. Through 2026, federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding will be awarded to communities through the state’s existing Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund (SDWRLF) program, implemented jointly by Business Oregon (BIZOR) and Oregon Heath Authority (OHA) Drinking Water Services. The BIL authorizes states to award 100% forgivable loan funding (i.e., principal forgiveness or subsidy) to address emerging contaminants (EC) in drinking water with a focus on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Funding for the program is dependent on availability of two separate sources of funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the state will be annually applying for through 2026 to award to water systems: BIL Emerging Contaminant Funding (BIL-EC): Funding under BIL-EC is for water systems eligible under the SDWRLF program and requires that at least 25% of the funds be used to assist disadvantaged communities orpublic watersystems serving fewer than 25,000people.Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Funding (EC-SDC): Funding requirements underEC-SDC require thatfunds be used to assist disadvantaged communities. For a project to be considered under the Emerging Contaminants (EC) program, the primary purpose of the project must be to address and/or mitigate people’s exposure to confirmed EC in drinking water and the project activities proposed must be eligible under the SDWRLF program. Public water systems must provide documentation to Oregon Drinking Water Services (OHA-DWS) confirming detection of the emerging contaminant identified in the submitted funding application.

Eligibility

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