We are committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.
This grant program supports eligible rural communities in preparing for or recovering from emergencies that compromise the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. A variety of events, including droughts, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, disease outbreaks, chemical spills, leaks, or seepages, and other disasters qualify as emergencies under this program. Importantly, a federal disaster declaration is not required for a situation to be considered an emergency. The program offers two types of financial assistance: water transmission line grants of up to $150,000 for projects like constructing waterline extensions, repairing breaks or leaks in existing distribution lines, and related maintenance; and water source grants of up to $1,000,000 to help construct water sources, intakes, or treatment facilities. The overarching goal is to help prevent damage or restore access to clean, reliable drinking water in eligible rural areas affected by natural disasters, which, in turn, can improve the natural environment and promote business growth and development in these areas.