Water/Wastewater Financing Program Grant (OR)

Water/Wastewater Financing Program Grant (OR)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Business Oregon
Amount: Up to US $750,000
Last Updated: October 23, 2025

Summary

The Water/Wastewater Financing Program Grant in Oregon supports public infrastructure projects ensuring compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. Grants up to $750,000 are available for eligible public entities, with a focus on municipalities under 15,000 in population. Funding is determined by financial capacity, and technical assistance grants of up to $50,000 are also offered. Certain costs, such as those for privately owned facilities, are ineligible.

Overview

NOTE: Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis. To begin the process, a Project Notification and Intake form will need to be completed. For more details on the application process, please contact your Regional Development Officer​.​​​​ Water/Wastewater Financing Program Grant (OR) The Water/Wastewater Financing Program funds the design and construction of public infrastructure needed to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act or the Clean Water Act. Funding Loan and grant amounts are determined by a financial analysis of the applicant's ability to afford a loan (debt capacity, repayment sources, and other factors). Grants: The program provides grant awards up to $750,000 based on financial review. An applicant is not eligible for grant funds if their annual median household income is greater than or equal to 100 percent of the state average median household income for the same year. The amount of grant funding cannot make up more than 50 percent of the total financial award.Techincal Assistance: The Infrastructure Finance Authority offers technical assistance financing for municipalities with populations of less than 15,000. The funds may be used to finance preliminary planning, engineering studies, and economic investigations. Technical assistance funding is also offered for water master plans, wastewater facility plans, and studies to assess the feasibility of regionalization/consolidation. TA grants are available up to $50,000. TA loans are available at 1% interest for up to 10 years. TA funding is subject to availability of program funds.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Public entities eligible to apply include:​Cities, Counties, County service districts (organized under ORS Chapter 451), Tribal councils, ​ Ports, and Special districts (​as defined in ORS 198.010​).Allowable funded project activities may include:Reasonable costs for construction improvement or expansion of drinking water system, wastewater system, or stormwater system; Water source, treatment, storage, and distribution; Wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal facilities; Stormwater system; Purchase of rights of way and easements necessary for construction; Design and construction engineering; or Planning/technical assistance for small communities.​

Ineligibility

Technical assistance funding will not support certain planning activities, including but not limited to stormwater facilities / master plans, seismic risk assessment and management plans, water management and conservation plans, rate studies, and asset management plans. Other funding programs may be available to cover these costs, please contact a Business Oregon RDO to explore other options. Certain costs, including but not limited to those listed below, are not eligible under any of the funding through the Water/Wastewater Financing Program: Costs incurred for facilities that are or will be privately owned; Cost to purchase of equipment not directly related to the project; Cost to purchase off-site property for uses not directly related to the project; Project operating or maintenance expenses, including in-house staff; and Repayment of existing debt used to finance a project.