Welcome to the State Water Resources Control Board Welcome to the California Environmental Protection Agency
Water Boards: Financial Assistance Programs - Grants and Loans

Financial Assistance Programs - Grants and Loans

The Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) administers the implementation of the State Water Resources Control Board's (State Water Board) financial assistance programs, that include loan and grant funding for construction of municipal sewage and water recycling facilities, remediation for underground storage tank releases, watershed protection projects, nonpoint source pollution control projects, etc. DFA also administers the Water Recycling Program and the Operator Certification Program.

Quick Links

Overview and Accomplishments

Back to Top

What's New!

  • New! CALFED Water Quality Grant Program
    The State Water Board is no longer accepting Concept Proposal applications for the CALFED Water Quality Grant Program. It is anticipated that the Full Proposal application periiod will begin in mid August 2008. Get more information about this program.

  • New! Small Community Wastewater Strategy
    The Small Community Wastewater Strategy is referenced in a Resolution promoting strategies to assist small and/or disadvantaged communities with wastewater needs, which was adopted by the State Water Board on July 1, 2008.

  • New! Proposition 84 ASBS Grant Program Guidelines
    The State Water Board adopted Proposition 84 ASBS Grant Program Guidelines to implement the program at its April 1, 2008 meeting and subsequently released the Concept Proposal Solicitation Notice. The State Water Board is no longer accepting Concept Proposal applications. It is anticipated that the Full Proposal application period will begin in early August 2008.

  • 2008 California Nonpoint Source Conference: Using Integrated Watershed Management to Improve Water Quality & Reduce Nonpoint Source Pollution (10/12/07)
    This Fourth Biennial NPS Conference will showcase how sustainability and an integrated holistic watershed perspective can be incorporated into nonpoint source problem-solving steps through local, regional, and global efforts. Conference date: May 5–7, 2008.

  • 2007 319 (h) Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant Program (12/18/07)
    The State Water Board is now accepting applications from applicants who were invited to submit a Full Proposal for the 2007 319(h) NPS Grant Program to support projects throughout the State to restore impaired surface waters through the control of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Applications due January 31, 2008. An Applicant workshop is scheduled for January 7, 2008 at 10 pm in the Cal/EPA Sierra Hearing Room. The workshop will be Webcast. 

  • Project Assessment and Evaluation Plan (PAEP) Training (4/23/07)
    This training course is designed to provide grant managers and grantees with guidance on preparation, review and effective use of PAEP's.

Back to Top

General Information

  • Watershed Management
    The Watershed Management Initiative (WMI) was approved as part of the 1995 Strategic Plan and remains a part of the current Strategic Plan. The WMI establishes a broad framework overlying the numerous federal and state mandated priorities. As such, the WMI helps the Water Board to achieve water resource protection, enhancement and restoration while balancing economic and environmental impacts.

  • Applicant Feedback (1/3/06)
    The feedback provided by applicants will help the Division of Financial Assistance improve its grant and loan programs. Please take a few moments to complete the feedback form. Completed forms should be sent by email to DFA program staff.

  • CEQA Fact Sheet - Environmental Requirements for State Water Board Grants
    The State Water Board distributes funding through various grants, including Propositions 13, 40, 50, Water Recycling, Small Community Grants and others. Applicants seeking funds are required to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and provide documents for the State Water Board’s environmental review process.

  • Environmental Clearance Checklist

  • FAAST - Online Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool
    The State Water Board released a new version of its online Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST), which makes filling out loan and grant applications easier.

  • Examples of Low Impact Development (LID) Projects Funded by the State Water Board
    In Resolution 2005-0006, the State Water Board adopted sustainability as a core value to guide its programs and policies. The Division of Financial Assistance has funded Low Impact Development (LID) projects through various grant and loan programs.

  • Project Assessment and Evaluation
    All grant recipients are required to prepare a Project Assessment and Evaluation Plan (PAEP) at the initiation of their project to outline how they will assess and evaluate performance and report on project achievements.

Back to Top

Request for Proposals and Solicitations

Currently Accepting Applications

Closed RFPs and Solicitations

Upcoming RFPs and Solicitations

Back to Top

Funding Programs

Dollar Sign image indicates that these funding programs are currently accepting applications. Dollar sign image indicates that these funding programs are currently accepting applications.

Agricultural Programs
This funding program is currently accepting applications. Agricultural Drainage Loan Program
This funding program is currently accepting applications. Agricultural Drainage Management Loan Program
Agricultural Water Quality Grants Program
Dairy Water Quality Grant Program
Pesticide Research and Identification of Source, and Mitigation (PRISM) Grant Program

Groundwater Improvement and Protection Programs
Proposition 50 Integrated Regional Water Management Program
Proposition 50 Groundwater Monitoring
Small Community Groundwater Grants
Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund

Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Programs
CALFED Drinking Water Quality Program Proposition 13, Proposition 50
Clean Beaches Initiative Program
Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program Proposition 13, Proposition 50
Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Implementation Program
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program Proposition 13, Proposition 40
  Pesticide Research and Identification of Source, and Mitigation (PRISM) Grant Program
Proposition 40 Integrated Watershed Management Program
Proposition 50 Integrated Regional Water Management Program
Proposition 40 Urban Storm Water Grant Program
  Proposition 84 Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) Grant Program
  Proposition 84 Storm Water Program
Santa Monica Bay Restoration
This funding program is currently accepting applications. State Revolving Fund Loans

Wastewater Construction Programs
  Proposition 50 Integrated Regional Water Management Program
  Small Community Wastewater Grants
This funding program is currently accepting applications. State Revolving Fund Loans

Water Recycling Programs
Proposition 50 Integrated Regional Water Management Program
This funding program is currently accepting applications. State Revolving Fund Loans
This funding program is currently accepting applications. Water Recycling Loans and Grants

Watershed Protection Programs
CALFED Watershed Program Proposition 13, Proposition 50
  Proposition 13 Watershed Protection Program
Proposition 50 Integrated Regional Water Management Program
Proposition 40 Integrated Watershed Management Program
Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto Watershed Program
Southern California Integrated Watershed Program (SCIWP)

Other DFA Administered Programs
Aboveground Storage Tank
Operator Certification Program
Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund
  Watershed Management

(updated 7/17/08)