Water quality grants

Grants

Creek flowing over ditch diversion infrastructure

Grant money does not need to be paid back and can come from different programs. Explore our grant opportunities below. 

 

Available grants
Assistance grants program
Background

The Assistance Grants Program is a state funded grant program that supports public water systems interested in committing to excellence but lack the financial resources to do so. Grants can be awarded up to $25,000 with a total of $150,000 annually. Projects must be completed within the calendar year they are awarded. 

Eligibility

These grants are intended to:

  • Help these systems reach or maintain more consistent compliance with the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

  • Address a potential or existing water quality challenge.

Applications  

To apply, an eligible entity submits an application in response to the grant opening announcement. In addition to these external applications, division personnel may refer projects to this program. 

The application period for the most recent RFA is closed. Top ranked applications and referrals will be evaluated by a division committee and finalists will be notified in the Spring 2023.

Contacts

For more information, see Pursuing Excellence Program - Funding at:

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/dwtrain

Email: aracely.navarro@state.co.us

Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Programs
Background

House Bill 22-1358 is a state funded program that requires each child care center, family child care home and school that serves any of grades preschool through fifth in Colorado test their drinking water for lead by May 31, 2023, and remediate if necessary. The Test and Fix Water for Kids program will help schools and child care programs meet HB22-1358 requirements by providing free training, testing, remediation, and technical assistance through the School and Child Care Clean Drinking Water Fund.
 
The WIIN lead testing in schools and child care grant program is a federally funded program that offers grants to local public health agencies to help schools and child care programs meet the requirements of HB22-1358.

Eligibility

All schools serving any of grades preschool through fifth plus all licensed child care programs in Colorado must enroll in this program to comply with this new law. If the local public health agency in your county is participating in the WIIN lead testing in schools and child care grant program, their team will coordinate lead testing. 

Applications

There are no grant applications for the Test and Fix Water for Kids program. All schools and child care programs must enroll. Enrollment forms are available on the webpage:

Test and Fix Water for Kids

For more information on the WIIN lead testing in schools and child care gram program, see the webpage:

Lead testing at public schools grants 

Forms

All related forms are found on the webpage: 

Test and Fix Water for Kids

Contacts:

For more information, see Test and Fix Water for Kids

waterforkids@state.co.us

PFAS Grant Program
Background

The PFAS Grant program funding supports efforts in identifying, assessing, and reducing environmental impacts of PFAS on human health and the environment. It is a state funded grant program administered through the PFAS Cash Fund. This funding program is to be renewed every year on October 1, thru 2026. 

The PFAS Grant Program has three project categories:

  • Sampling
  • Emergency assistance
  • Infrastructure 
Eligibility

The general eligible entities for the PFAS grant program are listed below; a more detailed list can be found in the Request for Applications.

  • Governmental agencies
  • Tribes
  • Public water systems
  • Private not-for-profit public water systems
  • Counties or local health departments
  • Fire Departments
  • Not-for-profit Non-governmental organizations
  • Domestic Wastewater Treatment Works
  • Non-profit educational institutions
Applications  

The funding of projects is initiated by a Request for Applications (RFA) when sufficient funds have accumulated. The RFA sets out the eligibility requirements and criteria for entities and projects which will be funded, as well as timeframes and how to apply. To apply, an eligible entity submits an application in response to the RFA. 

The current Request for Applications opened January 3, 2023. The deadline is March 31, 2023 and grants will be awarded by May 1, 2023, with a project start date in summer of 2023.

For the most recent Request For Applications, see the PFAS Grant Program at:

PFAS Grant Program Request for Applications.

Forms

All related forms are on the webpage under the PFAS Grant Program.

Contacts

For more information, see the PFAS Grant Program.

cdphe_wqcd_pfas_grant@state.co.us

Small communities water and wastewater grants
Background

The Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grants (SCG) is part of the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission’s Regulation 55 - State Funded Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Programs. It is for eligible entities that serve a population of no more than five thousand people, with financial need. 

Financial need is determined during the application process. The Colorado Department of Local Affairs conducts the analysis and issues certificates to qualifying entities

Eligibility

Entities that serve a population of no more than 5,000 people and are:

  • Governmental agencies.
  • Counties representing unincorporated areas. 
  • Not-for-profit public water systems.
Applications

Request for Application

Previous News Releases:

Forms

The following forms are for use by grantees under contract.

  • SCG Reimbursement Request Transmittal Form
    Use this form to submit reimbursement requests. When clicked, the form will open. Respond to each of the questions and submit the form. You will receive a copy of your responses via email.

     
  • SCG Quarterly Report Google Form
    Fill out one Quarterly Report Form for each awarded contract. When clicked, the form will open. Respond to each of the questions and submit the form. You will receive a copy of your responses via email.

  • SCG Final Report
    If you have completed the project, please contact your Project Manager for assistance with the Final Report for your Small Communities Grant grant.
Contacts:
cdphe.wqcd.watergrants@state.co.us 
720-248-7394 
Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) grants
Background

The Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) is a Colorado state grant program funded by civil penalties collected for water quality violations. It is part of the Water Quality Control Commission’s Regulation 55 - State Funded Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Programs.

Eligibility

Entities eligible for funding include: 

  • Governmental agencies
  • Publicly owned water systems
  • Private not-for-profit public water systems
  • Not-for-profit stormwater program administrators or training providers
  • Not-for-profit watershed groups 
  • Private landowners impacted by a water quality violation

Projects eligible for funding must fall within these categories:

  • Stormwater management and best management practices training
  • Projects to improve water quality where there has been a civil penalty imposed for a water quality violation
  • Planning, design, construction, or repair of stormwater projects or domestic wastewater treatment facilities currently on the State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan
  • Nonfederal match funding for nonpoint source projects.
Applications

The funding of projects is initiated by a Request for Applications (RFA) when sufficient funds have accumulated. The RFA sets out the eligibility requirements and criteria for entities and projects which will be funded, as well as timeframes and how to apply. To apply, an eligible entity submits an application in response to the RFA. There are no current RFAs at this time. The most recent RFA closed on April 20, 2023. Awards for that RFA will be posted here by the week of May 22, 2023. The past three prior RFAs are closed and included here for reference. 

Past Requests for Applications (Closed)

2021-2020 WQIF Request for Applications Category 1 only 

Stormwater Management and Best Management Practices Training

2020-2021 WQIF Request for Applications 

2022-2023 WQIF Request for Applications Category 1 only

Forms

The following forms are for use by grantees under contract.

  • WQIF Reimbursement Request Transmittal Form
    Use this form to submit reimbursement requests. When clicked, the form will open. Respond to each of the questions and submit the form. You will receive a copy of your responses via email.

    The grant reimbursement request requires two steps:

    Complete the CDPHE Standardized Invoice Form accessible on the web page.

    Complete this transmittal form.

    This is a Google form in a question and answer format. The form includes instructions for submitting the CDPHE Standardized Invoice form and supporting documentation.

  • WQIF Quarterly Report Google Form
    Fill out one Quarterly Report Form for each awarded contract. When clicked, the form will open. Respond to each of the questions and submit the form. You will receive a copy of your responses via email.

  • WQIF Final Report
    If you have completed the project, please contact your Project Manager for assistance with the Final Report for your Water Quality Improvement grant.
Contacts:

cdphe.wqcd.watergrants@state.co.us 

720-248-7394 

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