Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Loan Program

State Revolving Fund Program FAQs

Project Information Form Webinar FAQs

1. What can the program do for you?

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, authorized by the Safe Drinking Water Act, provides low-cost financial assistance for planning, acquisition, design, and construction of water infrastructure.

2. Who can borrow?

Eligible applicants for the DWSRF include publicly and privately-owned community water systems, including nonprofit water supply corporations and nonprofit, non-community public water systems.

3. What types of projects can I use the loan funding for?

Financial assistance from the DWSRF can be utilized for:

water treatment facilities
distribution systems
upgrade or replace water infrastructure
address standards from the Safe Drinking Water Act
consolidation of systems
purchasing additional capacity
source water protection projects
eligible green project reserve components
flood resiliency projects or project components
disaster recovery

4. Are loans or grants offered?

Both below market interest rate loans and principal forgiveness (similar to grants) are offered.

For SFY 2022, for loans the interest rate will be a percentage reduction from the Thomson Reuters Municipal Market Data (MMD) rate adjusted for yield to maturity that is applicable to the entity's rating, with non-rated entities using the Baa rate, as follows:

(a) Equivalency projects: 35% reduction

(b) Non-Equivalency projects: 30% reduction

Principal forgiveness is available on a limited basis to eligible disadvantaged communities, small/rural disadvantaged communities, very small systems, green projects, emergency preparedness, and urgent need projects.

The amount of principal forgiveness for a regular disadvantaged project (up to 70%) is dependent on the annual median household income and household cost factor for the project area. Projects that serve a population of 1,000 or fewer are eligible for up to 100% principal forgiveness ($300,000 maximum). Entities may receive subsidized green funding (up to 15% forgiveness) if their project has eligible components that total 30% of the project's total cost. Emergency preparedness principal forgiveness may be available for the preparation of an emergency preparedness evaluation/audit plan. It would determine future needs to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory standards of emergency operations that directly affect operation of a public water system during an extended power outage from severe weather that impacts the system. The maximum amount available for a public water system is $75,000. If a project is determined to be of urgent need, the applicant may qualify for 100% principal forgiveness ($500,000 maximum unless a disadvantaged community, which has up to a $800,000 maximum depending on the percentage category).

5. What project components can I receive funding to complete?

The DWSRF provides financial assistance for planning, acquisition, design and construction.

6. How much funding is available?

Whether you are seeking financial assistance for smaller projects to large-scale capital improvement projects, the DWSRF can assist with your financing needs. For State Fiscal Year 2022, at least $150 Million is available under the DWSRF for all financing options including $30 Million in principal forgiveness.

For current detailed information regarding funds available, please see the DWSRF Intended Use Plan located on the upper right side of this webpage.

7. When can I apply for SRF financial assistance?

DWSRF financing is available year round. In order to be invited to apply for funding, entities must submit a completed Project Information Form. Typically, Project Information Forms are submitted each year by a deadline in March to be on the initial Intended Use Plan project priority list.

Special Requirements

Financial assistance through the DWSRF program requires compliance with applicable rules, policies, and statutes including:

Submittal of a Project Information Form (PIF) to the current Intended Use Plan
2.0% loan origination fee for SFY 2021 IUP projects
National Environmental Policy Act-type environmental review.
Projects must be consistent with the current TWDB State Water Plan
Adoption of a Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan for all financial assistance greater than $500,000
Application of Davis-Bacon wage rate requirements
Compliance with the EPA's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, which requires applicants and prime contractors to follow six affirmative steps in procurement (Guidance and additional information is available)
Compliance with EPA's American Iron and Steel Provisions
Review of legislative requirements regarding water loss threshold limits

IUP and Loan Process

Where Can I Get More Information?

In order to provide you with a single point of contact at the TWDB, our project implementation staff is organized into six regional project implementation teams. Each team is led by a manager that serves as the primary point of contact for both our existing and future customers. For assistance with the application or any questions related to your project, please look up contact information for your Regional Team.