Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

This grant program is designed to assist eligible communities in preparing for or recovering from emergencies that compromise the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Broadly, the program supports efforts in response to a variety of emergencies, such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes, disease outbreaks, chemical spills, leaks, or seepage, and other disasters. Importantly, a federal disaster declaration is not a prerequisite for qualification. The grants can be used for a range of purposes: water transmission line grants of up to $150,000 are available for constructing waterline extensions, repairing breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and performing related maintenance to replenish water supply; water source grants of up to $1,000,000 can be used to construct water sources, intake or treatment facilities. This initiative aims to mitigate damage or restore access to clean, reliable drinking water in eligible rural areas and towns after natural disasters, improve the natural environment, and promote economic development by encouraging businesses to locate or expand in these areas.