Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in Puerto Rico

This grant program is designed to help eligible rural communities prepare for, or recover from, emergencies affecting the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. It supports efforts in response to various emergencies, such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes, disease outbreaks, chemical spills, leaks, or seepage, and other disasters. One notable aspect of this grant is that a federal disaster declaration is not required for an event to qualify as an emergency. Through this program:

• Water transmission line grants of up to $150,000 can be used for the construction of waterline extensions, repair of breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and related maintenance to replenish the water supply.
• Water source grants of up to $1,000,000 can support the construction of a new water source, intake, or treatment facility. The ultimate goal is to prevent damage to, or restore, households and businesses' access to clean and reliable drinking water in affected rural areas and towns, which in turn can improve the natural environment and promote economic development by encouraging businesses to locate or expand in these areas.