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Best Water Grants

Find water grants for clean water access, conservation, infrastructure, and watershed protection projects.

870

Available grants

$350.9M

Total funding

$30K

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870 grants
$350.9M total
$30K median

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CDBG Construction Grants - Main Street Revitalization Program (MSRP)

Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
State/Local Government
Indiana
Up to US $600,000

CDBG Construction Grants

Overview

Funding for all Community Development Block Grant programs is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The State of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities to support a range of projects, including infrastructure enhancement, downtown revitalization, improvements to public facilities, and economic development initiatives.

The state CDBG program offers competitive grants to units of local government to support rural areas. Within the CDBG program, there are five types of Construction Grants designed to enhance community resilience and livability:

  • Blight Clearance
  • Main Street Revitalization
  • Public Facilities
  • Stormwater Improvements
  • Wastewater/Drinking Water

Main Street Revitalization

The Main Street Revitalization Program (MSRP) is designed to empower rural communities in their efforts to build vibrant, sustainable environments and enhance overall quality of life.

Eligible projects include:

  • Traffic Control or Pedestrian Safety
  • Functional Art
  • ADA Improvements
  • Sidewalk Rehabilitation or Addition
  • Signage or Utility Relocation for Accessibility
  • Pavers
  • Water Management
  • Energy Efficiency (LED Traffic Lights or Signals)
  • Alley Activation

To be eligible, applicants must have a designated Indiana Main Street organization that meets one of the following qualifications:

  • National Accreditation through the National Main Street Center (NAMS), or
  • Indiana Accredited Main Street (IAMS) status with at least three years of active designation
  • Be in good standing with the Indiana Mainstreet Program requirements

Grant awards are based on the proposed project cost, as outlined below.

  • Projects over $2 million in total project cost may received a grant up to $600,000
  • Projects under $2 million in total project cost may received a grant up to $500,000
  • A local match of 20% of the total project cost is required for funding consideration.

CDBG funds will be awarded at a rate of $5,000 per project beneficiary.

Community Development & Revitalization Rural Development Disability Care & Services +5 more

CDBGPF Design, Engineering, and Environmental Clearance (DEEC) Grant

Colorado Department of Local Affairs
State/Local Government
Alamosa County, Colorado, Archuleta County, Colorado +57 more
Up to US $50,000
The CDBGPF Design, Engineering, and Environmental Clearance (DEEC) Grant, administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, supports local governments in enhancing community infrastructure. This grant assists eligible applicants with vital design, engineering, and environmental clearance activities for projects that benefit low to moderate income communities. Projects can include water systems, community centers, and more, aimed at fostering development and addressing urgent community needs.
Public Infrastructure Water Resource Management

Municipal Dam Grant Program

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
State/Local Government
Wisconsin
Up to US $1,000,000

The FY2025-27 Biennial Budget provided $4 million for Dam Grants with the majority being committed to fund eligible engineering and construction costs associated with the maintenance, repair, modification or abandonment and removal of municipally owned dams.The Municipal Dam grant program provides a cost-sharing opportunity for eligible engineering and construction costs for dam maintenance, repair, modification or abandonment and removal.  Applicants must have an Engineer's inspection order or directive and a Dam Failure Analysis sufficient to identify the hazard potential based on the current development in the hydraulic shadow downstream of the dam. Applicants must have an Engineer's inspection order or directive and a Dam Failure Analysis sufficient to identify the hazard potential based on the current development in the hydraulic shadow downstream of the dam.

Environmental Conservation Water Resource Management

WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program

US Department of the Interior: Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
Federal Government
American Samoa, Guam +4 more
US $50,000 - US $300,000
The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program offers funding to eligible entities for developing local solutions to water management issues. This initiative supports watershed group development, restoration planning, and project design, promoting stakeholder cooperation and improving water reliability. It aligns with key priorities from the Trump administration, addressing complex water challenges and enhancing federal grant oversight. By facilitating these efforts, the program aims to stretch limited water resources and foster collaborative solutions among diverse stakeholders.
Habitat & Ecosystem Restoration Water Resource Management

TxCDBG Program for Rural Texas: Community Development Fund

Texas Department of Agriculture
State/Local Government
Texas
Up to US $750,000

Texas Department of Agriculture

The Texas Legislature established the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in 1907. The agency's key objectives are to promote production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. The agriculture commissioner oversees the agency and is elected every four years. The current commissioner, Sid Miller, was first elected in 2014 and began his third term serving Texas agriculture in January 2023.

TDA is a diversified state agency that provides value-added services through our regulatory and marketing and initiatives.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Rural Texas

The primary objective of the Community Development Block Grant program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and to expand economic opportunities principally for persons of low- to moderate-income.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Rural Texas includes: Community Development Fund; Downtown Revitalization Program; Colonia Fund - Construction; Colonia Economically Distressed Areas Program; State Urgent Need (SUN) Fund.

Community Development Fund

The Community Development Fund is the largest fund category in the TxCDBG Program. This fund is available through a competition in each of the 24 state planning regions. Although most funds are used for Public Facilities (water/wastewater infrastructure, street and drainage improvements and housing activities), there are numerous other activities for which these funds may be used.

Funds are allocated to each state planning region to ensure a broad geographic distribution of funds as described in the one-year action plan. Additional funds deobligated from previous awards may be made available using the same formula. Funds allocated to a region that does not have an eligible application to fund will be reallocated to other regions to maximize the number of awards granted.

Water Resource Management Equitable & Affordable Housing Public Infrastructure +1 more

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

Delaware State Housing Authority
State/Local Government
Kent County, Delaware, Sussex County, Delaware
Unspecified amount

DSHA administers the funds to these governmental entities, which in turn use the money to help repair substandard housing and make infrastructure improvements in needy areas of each county. Municipalities can request sewer and water system improvements, street repairs, street lights and other infrastructure improvements that support low- and moderate-income housing development.

Water Resource Management Equitable & Affordable Housing Supportive Housing & Shelters

TxCDBG Program for Rural Texas: Colonia Fund - Construction (CFC)

Texas Department of Agriculture
State/Local Government
Texas
Up to US $1,000,000

Texas Department of Agriculture

The Texas Legislature established the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in 1907. The agency's key objectives are to promote production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. The agriculture commissioner oversees the agency and is elected every four years. The current commissioner, Sid Miller, was first elected in 2014 and began his third term serving Texas agriculture in January 2023.

TDA is a diversified state agency that provides value-added services through our regulatory and marketing and initiatives.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Rural Texas

The primary objective of the Community Development Block Grant program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and to expand economic opportunities principally for persons of low- to moderate-income.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Rural Texas includes: Community Development Fund; Downtown Revitalization Program; Colonia Fund - Construction; Colonia Economically Distressed Areas Program; State Urgent Need (SUN) Fund.

Colonia Fund - Construction

Colonia Funds

TxCDBG Colonia funds are available to eligible county applicants for projects in severely distressed unincorporated areas which meet the definition as a colonia:

  • any identifiable unincorporated community within 150 miles of the United States-Mexico border, not including any standard metropolitan statistical area with a population exceeding 1,000,000;
  • the community is determined to be a colonia on the basis of criteria including lack of potable water supply, lack of adequate sewage systems, and lack of decent, safe, and sanitary housing;
  • the community was in existence as a colonia before the enactment of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (November 28, 1990).

The Colonia Fund - Construction (CFC) provides eligible applicants with grants to fund water and wastewater improvements, housing rehabilitation for low- to moderate-income households, the payment of assessments levied against properties owned and occupied by persons of low and moderate income to recover the capital cost for a public improvement and other improvements including street paving and drainage

Water Resource Management Rural Development Equitable & Affordable Housing +2 more

Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP): Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
State/Local Government
New York
Up to US $5,000,000

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was created on July 1, 1970 to combine all state programs designed to protect and enhance the environment into a single agency.

DEC's Mission: "To conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being."

DEC's goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.

Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) 

Grant Description

The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program open to local governments and not-for-profit corporations to implement projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. This funding is for construction/implementation projects, not projects that are exclusively for planning.

Maximum funding awards vary by project type. Program priorities and requirements are also subject to change from year to year. The typical annual funding available for the WQIP program is at least $75 million.

Grant funds are available for up to 75% of the application budget. Applicants must provide the remaining 25% in match funds. Additional information regarding eligible forms of match (eligible costs) is provided under each project type. 

Eligible Project Types

Funding is available for the following project types: 1) Wastewater Treatment Improvement; 2) Nonagricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control; 3) Vacuum Trucks in Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Areas; 4) Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection; 5) Salt Storage and Road Salt Reduction; 6) Dam Safety Repair/Rehabilitation and Removal; 7) Aquatic Connectivity; 8) Marine District Habitat Restoration; 9) Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Enhancement; 10) Landfill Leachate Treatment

Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection

Project Type Description

Funding is available to purchase land and/or conservation easements, including associated transactional, riparian buffer, or groundwater restoration costs for the purpose of protecting public surface or groundwater drinking water supplies.

Not-for-profit organizations are required to complete the Vendor Prequalification process to be considered eligible to apply for this grant.

Sanitation & Clean Drinking Water Waste Management Water Resource Management

Innovative Approaches to Extend Lifetime and Minimize O&M for Nature-based Installations RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Countries
Up to US $250,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5416 - Innovative Approaches to Extend Lifetime and Minimize O&M for Nature-based Installations

Grant Information

  • Identify and evaluate innovative design, construction, and management approaches that extend the functional lifetime of nature-based installations and reduce ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements.
  • Develop practical guidance on key factors affecting nature-based solution (NbS) longevity, including hydraulic optimization, engineered media selection and replacement, plant selection, sediment management, and construction-phase best practices.
  • Survey utilities and other NbS owners to document current maintenance practices, costs, and hours, and establish benchmarks to inform targets for improvement.
Hydrology Climate Change Resilience & Equity Green Infrastructure +1 more

Guidelines to Develop Best-In-Class Maintenance Strategies for Vertical Assets RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Countries
Up to US $250,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5415 - Guidelines to Develop Best-In-Class Maintenance Strategies for Vertical Assets

Grant Information

  • Develop a clear understanding of the background and benefits associated with implementing well-rounded maintenance strategies for vertical assets.
  • Develop a structured approach to identify and implement best-in-class maintenance strategies for vertical assets that improve reliability, increase asset availability, reduce unplanned work and emergency shutdowns, support the transition from reactive to proactive maintenance, and minimize total lifecycle cost.
  • Apply leading practices such as Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and cutting-edge technologies and analytics to vertical assets.
Water Resource Management

Bioavailability and Transformation of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen and Phosphorus Across WRRFs RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
North America
Up to US $275,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5429 - Bioavailability and Transformation of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen and Phosphorus Across WRRFs

Project Objectives

  • Survey and characterize dissolved organic nitrogen and phosphorus (DON/DOP) concentrations and speciation across North American wastewater facilities, including but not limited to influent, secondary effluent, tertiary effluent, digester supernatant, thermal hydrolysis process (THP) centrate, autothermal thermophilic digestion (ATAD) sidestreams, and dewatering recycle streams.
  • Understand the dynamics of DON/DOP in effluent, including quantifying the bioavailable fraction of DON/DOP in different relevant process streams, evaluating their transformation into nitrogenous disinfection by-product (N-DBP) precursors, determining bio-uptake rates representative of receiving water conditions, and measuring the timescale for biodegradation in receiving waters.
Water Resource Management Hydrology

Advancing Actionable Climate Resilience Metrics for Water Supply Planning RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Countries
Up to US $250,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5427 - Advancing Actionable Climate Resilience Metrics for Water Supply Planning

Grant Information

  • Catalog existing performance metrics that consistently drive water utility operational and capital decisions, assess their applicability to support future resilience-based decision making under nonstationary climate conditions, and identify adjustments or alternative metrics needed to support forward-looking, resilience-based decision making for water utilities.
  • Determine the appropriate level of climate resilience analysis needed to evaluate and apply climate resilience metrics, with requirements scaled based on metric sensitivity to climate change, decision context, and utility characteristics.
  • Develop guidance to integrate climate resilience metrics into planning and decision processes.
Hydrology Water Resource Management Climate Change Resilience & Equity +1 more

Smarter Water Governance with AMI: Conservation, Affordability, and Rate Design

Water Research Foundation
Private
North America
Up to US $275,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5409 - Smarter Water Governance with AMI: Conservation, Affordability, and Rate Design

Grant Information

  • Evaluate how utilities are currently leveraging advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data to inform pricing, conservation programs (including emergency curtailment practices), affordability programs, and plans for future implementation.
  • Analyze AMI data and assess how the data can be leveraged to develop and/or enhance conservation programs, policies, rates, and affordability programs.
  • Investigate the potential for advanced analytics, including machine learning, of AMIdatasets to support adaptive or dynamic rate structures, early detection of hardship or atrisk households, categorization of customer classes, dynamic tiering based on household size, and better targeting of affordability and conservation interventions.
  • Identify the obstacles utilities and regulators face when balancing conservation, equity, and revenue stability, and how improved AMI data can clarify tradeoffs.
Environmental Conservation Water Resource Management Hydrology +1 more

Establish Standardized Guidelines for Embedding O&M Considerations into the Design Process RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Countries
Up to US $250,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5428 - Establish Standardized Guidelines for Embedding O&M Considerations into the Design Process

Grant Information

  • To provide provisions that address common, recurring design issues that drive operations and maintenance (O&M) time and material, including but not limited to standardization of spare parts and consumables, support for condition based and predictive and preventive maintenance, and maintain-in-place design strategies.
  • To develop standardized design guidance to measurably reduce lifecycle O&M labor hours for municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities, pumping stations, etc., once required process performance and regulatory compliance are achieved.
Hydrology Water Resource Management Environmental Policy +1 more

Determinants of Workforce Retention in Public-Sector Water Utilities RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Countries
Up to US $275,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5412 - Determinants of Workforce Retention in Public-Sector Water Utilities

Grant Information

  • Quantify the relative influence of compensation, pension stability, mission alignment, schedule flexibility, leadership support, career development opportunities, and other factors on employee retention in public-sector water utilities.
  • Identify and analyze key impediments to retaining talent, including structural, cultural, compensation-related, and organizational barriers.
  • Identify and benchmark retention best practices from sectors outside the water industry to assess transferability and develop case studies of high-retention organizations to distill replicable strategies and measurable success factors.
Water Resource Management Workforce Preparation & Job Readiness Workers’ Rights

Crossing the Divide – Best Practices for Addressing Local and Privately-Owned Lateral Sewer Issues RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Countries
Up to US $250,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5419 - Crossing the Divide – Best Practices for Addressing Local and Privately-Owned Lateral Sewer Issues

Grant Information

To provide water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) and collection system operators with an interactive manual of practice for implementing inflow and infiltration (I&I) and obstruction management programs with a focus on municipal and privately owned lateral sewers in complex legal, regulatory, and multi-jurisdictional environments.

Water Resource Management Sanitation & Clean Drinking Water Environmental Contamination & Pollution

Adaptive Control Frameworks to Unlock Full-Scale BNR Potential RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Countries
Up to US $300,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5424 - Adaptive Control Frameworks to Unlock Full-Scale BNR Potential

Grant Information

  • Identify and categorize the dominant failure modes of current aeration and process control implementations under real-world operating conditions.
  • Develop guidance on data and instrumentation requirements for utilities to support adaptive control, including the characterization of existing sensor infrastructure and the use of soft sensors where hard sensors are limited.
  • Develop practical adaptive control frameworks and implementation guidance that utilities can deploy without dependence on proprietary black-box tools or specialized data science expertise, including hybrid approaches that augment conventional controls with data-driven models (e.g., artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), digital twins) for variable flow and concentration conditions.
  • Benchmark control performance against biological capacity indicators across multiple full-scale facilities to quantify the gap between achievable and realized biological nutrient removal (BNR) performance.
Water Resource Management Carbon / Greenhouse Gas Reduction Hydrology

Validating Reverse Osmosis Conductivity Profiling for Pathogen Log Reduction Value Credit RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Up to US $500,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5432 - Validating Reverse Osmosis Conductivity Profiling for Pathogen Log Reduction Value Credit

Grant Information

  • Validate conductivity profiling against pathogen removal by establishing the relationship between conductivity-profile response and MS2 bacteriophage removal under intact and controlled membrane integrity-defect conditions.
  • Demonstrate the robustness and applicability of conductivity profiling across representative reverse osmosis conditions, including new and aged membranes, different defect types and severities, operating conditions, variations in feedwater quality/composition/salinity, and temperature.
  • Develop a validation implementation framework that defines testing procedures, log removal value calculation methods, sensitivity and performance criteria, continuous monitoring, alarm/response thresholds, and operational requirements needed to support regulatory pathogen log removal values credit for reverse osmosis.
Sanitation & Clean Drinking Water Water Resource Management Hydrology

Enhanced Pathogen Log Reduction Value for Underground Retention and Transport RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
California
Up to US $250,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Ar

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5407 - Enhanced Pathogen Log Reduction Value for Underground Retention and Transport

Grant Information

  • Evaluate the applicability of WRF project 4957 site-specific pathogen log reduction value(LRV) assessment workflow at one or more managed aquifer recharge (MAR) or groundwater replenishment reuse project (GRRP) sites, including one or more different types of transport mechanisms (e.g., saturated flow, unsaturated vadose zone transport),and identify practical considerations for implementation.
  • Quantify site-specific virus attenuation and associated LRVs during underground retention(saturated flow), vadose zone transport (unsaturated), or both, using field data, tracer studies, surrogate indicators, monitoring approaches, and/or modeling tools, and compare the results to current regulatory default credit assumptions.
  • Develop practical guidance for utilities and regulators to validate pathogen LRV credits based on site-specific underground retention and transport.
Hydrology Water Resource Management

SECURE Assessment Grant

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation
State/Local Government
New York
Up to US $50,000

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation

The mission of the Environmental Facilities Corporation is to assist communities throughout New York State to undertake critical water quality infrastructure projects by providing access to low-cost capital, grants and expert technical assistance. A primary goal is to ensure that these projects remain affordable while safeguarding essential water resources. We support this mission by consistently using an innovative approach to developing and advancing new financing strategies to maximize the funding that can be made available to our clients, aiding compliance with Federal and State requirements, and promoting green infrastructure practices.

EFC has broad knowledge and a breadth of experience as a national leader in the municipal bond market. Our distinction gives our partners significant advantages in funding projects: Low cost of capital through grants, low interest rates and reduced bonding costs; Multiple funding options to fit your needs through project planning to construction and completion; Expert support to guide you through the application process and help you comply with state and federal requirements. We ensure the participation of minority-, women-, and service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses through every stage of the construction process. We also partner with a wide variety of professional organizations

Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancement (SECURE) Assessment Grant

EFC is offering $2.5 million dollars to strengthen cybersecurity readiness and resilience and support operational continuity for eligible water and wastewater systems across New York State. The SECURE program will provide funding for projects that enhance cyber protections, modernize digital infrastructure and reduce vulnerabilities for critical drinking water and wastewater systems. This strategic initiative expands upon Governor Hochul’s commitment to safeguard essential services, improve risk management practices, and support communities meeting evolving cybersecurity expectations. Funding is available for both cybersecurity assessments and implementation based on best practices and regulatory requirements. 

The SECURE Assessment grant will assist eligible clean water and drinking water systems to evaluate their cybersecurity posture, identify vulnerabilities, and prioritize risk mitigation needs. A municipality may apply for up to $50,000 with a 0% match.   

Sanitation & Clean Drinking Water Water Resource Management Cybersecurity

SECURE Implementation Grant

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation
State/Local Government
New York
Up to US $100,000

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation

The mission of the Environmental Facilities Corporation is to assist communities throughout New York State to undertake critical water quality infrastructure projects by providing access to low-cost capital, grants and expert technical assistance. A primary goal is to ensure that these projects remain affordable while safeguarding essential water resources. We support this mission by consistently using an innovative approach to developing and advancing new financing strategies to maximize the funding that can be made available to our clients, aiding compliance with Federal and State requirements, and promoting green infrastructure practices.

EFC has broad knowledge and a breadth of experience as a national leader in the municipal bond market. Our distinction gives our partners significant advantages in funding projects: Low cost of capital through grants, low interest rates and reduced bonding costs; Multiple funding options to fit your needs through project planning to construction and completion; Expert support to guide you through the application process and help you comply with state and federal requirements. We ensure the participation of minority-, women-, and service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses through every stage of the construction process. We also partner with a wide variety of professional organizations

Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancement (SECURE) Implementation Grant

EFC is offering $2.5 million dollars to strengthen cybersecurity readiness and resilience and support operational continuity for eligible water and wastewater systems across New York State. The SECURE program will provide funding for projects that enhance cyber protections, modernize digital infrastructure and reduce vulnerabilities for critical drinking water and wastewater systems. This strategic initiative expands upon Governor Hochul’s commitment to safeguard essential services, improve risk management practices, and support communities meeting evolving cybersecurity expectations. Funding is available for both cybersecurity assessments and implementation based on best practices and regulatory requirements. 

The SECURE Implementation Grant will fund deployment and enhancement of cybersecurity controls, technologies, and response capabilities identified during the assessment phase. The funded activities will be in response to a submitted cybersecurity assessment of the system. Completion of a prior assessment using a SECURE Assessment Grant is not required to apply; however a comparable assessment of the system’s cybersecurity needs must have been completed prior to applying for a SECURE Implementation Grant. A municipality may apply for up to 20% of net eligible costs, up to $100,000. 

Sanitation & Clean Drinking Water Water Resource Management Cybersecurity

Stormwater MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Program

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MASSDEP)
State/Local Government
Massachusetts
US $20,000 - US $75,000

Stormwater MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Program

This program, introduced in 2017, enables groups of Massachusetts municipalities to expand their efforts to meet requirements for the 2016 Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permits, and to reduce stormwater pollution through coordinated partnerships that emphasize resource sharing.

Total Funding Available:

  • Up to $250,000

Estimated Grant Amounts:

  • $20,000 to $75,000 per applicant

Since 2012, officials of Massachusetts cities and towns have come together and formed regional stormwater coalitions to share resources, training, and best management practices related to stormwater management. Those regional coalitions also formed a statewide coalition to meet those same goals. In April 2016, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and MassDEP issued a renewal of the Small MS4 General Permit (2016 MS4 Permit) for Massachusetts, which became effective on July 1, 2018. On November 22, 2024, the EPA prepared a renewal of the 2016 MS4 Permit for public comment which carries forward and builds upon previous MS4 Permits. The public comment period ran from November 22, 2024 through May 21, 2025. Finalization of the permit is ongoing and will not be completed prior to the issuance of this RFR. Since the 2016 MS4 Permit is administratively continued until the USEPA issues the renewal permit, projects to meet the 2016 MS4 Permit requirements will be prioritized.

MassDEP seeks to help facilitate municipal and regional collaboration on improved stormwater management and permit compliance through the MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Program. 

Environmental Contamination & Pollution Water Resource Management

Un-Sewered Area Assistance Program

Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA)
State/Local Government
Ohio
Unspecified amount

Ohio Water Development Authority

The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) provides financial assistance for environmental infrastructure from the sale of municipal revenue bonds through loans to local governments in Ohio and from the issuance of industrial revenue bonds for qualified conduit projects in Ohio.

Mission Statement: To provide financial assistance for environmental infrastructure from the sale of municipal revenue bonds through loans to local governments in Ohio and from issuance of industrial revenue bonds for qualified projects in Ohio.

Un-Sewered Area Assistance Program

Program Description

The Ohio Water Development Authority created the Un-Sewered Area Assistance Program to provide grants for construction of a publicly owned sewer system for unsewered areas that have failing on-lot sanitary systems.

Please note, projects must be constructed using State of Ohio Prevailing Wage rates. Extension of an existing sewer system is not eligible for this program.     

Waste Management Water Resource Management

Preparing for UCMR 6: Understanding Occurrence of Trifluoroacetic Acid and Emerging Ultrashort-Chain PFAS RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
United States
Up to US $200,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5434 Preparing for UCMR 6: Understanding Occurrence of Trifluoroacetic Acid and Emerging Ultrashort-Chain PFAS

Grant Information

  • Characterize the occurrence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and other ultrashort-chain organofluorine compounds included in the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) in representative U.S. drinking water systems.
  • Evaluate changes across existing full-scale treatment processes using source and finished water samples to identify treatment trains that demonstrate measurable removal or reduction of these compounds.
  • Develop a response and communication protocol to support utilities when communicating the results of the sampling and potential detection of TFA and other UCMR 6 ultrashort-chain organofluorine compounds.
Hydrology Water Resource Management Sanitation & Clean Drinking Water

Optimizing Membrane Biofouling Control in Potable Water Reuse Treatment Trains RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
Countries
Up to US $400,000

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5433 - Optimizing Membrane Biofouling Control in Potable Water Reuse Treatment Trains

Grant Information

Main Objective: Evaluate alternative biofouling control chemicals and operational strategies to optimize performance across the potable reuse treatment train while maintaining treatment performance and finished-water quality. Supporting objectives include:

  • Identify and assess alternative biofouling control chemicals and operational strategies that can reduce membrane fouling and differential pressure, reduce cleaning frequencies, minimize degradation of ultraviolet transmittance (UVT), and reduce lifecycle cost.
  • Evaluate treatment-train performance impacts, including effects on membrane system performance, membrane lifespan, UVT, and ultraviolet advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOP) performance and energy demand, finished-water quality, and concentrate management.
  • Quantify lifecycle benefits and tradeoffs associated with selected strategies, including energy and chemical consumption, membrane replacement and cleaning frequency, monitoring and reporting requirements, operator safety and chemical handling, environmental considerations, and capital/operating and maintenance costs.
Sanitation & Clean Drinking Water Environmental Contamination & Pollution Water Resource Management

IPR Aquifer Geochemistry Forum RFP

Water Research Foundation
Private
California
Up to US $100,000

About U

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5408 - IPR Aquifer Geochemistry Forum

Grant Information

Facilitate information exchange to address key knowledge gaps in aquifer storage and recovery by synthesizing practical insights on groundwater geochemistry impacts, mitigation measures, and field-scale challenges.

Hydrology Water Resource Management Geochemistry & Biogeochemistry

Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP): Salt Storage and Road Salt Reduction

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
State/Local Government
New York
US $400,000 - US $600,000

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was created on July 1, 1970 to combine all state programs designed to protect and enhance the environment into a single agency.

DEC's Mission: "To conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being."

DEC's goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.

Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) 

Grant Description

The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program open to local governments and not-for-profit corporations to implement projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. This funding is for construction/implementation projects, not projects that are exclusively for planning.

Maximum funding awards vary by project type. Program priorities and requirements are also subject to change from year to year. The typical annual funding available for the WQIP program is at least $75 million.

Grant funds are available for up to 75% of the application budget. Applicants must provide the remaining 25% in match funds. Additional information regarding eligible forms of match (eligible costs) is provided under each project type. 

Eligible Project Types

Funding is available for the following project types: 1) Wastewater Treatment Improvement; 2) Nonagricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control; 3) Vacuum Trucks in Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Areas; 4) Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection; 5) Salt Storage and Road Salt Reduction; 6) Dam Safety Repair/Rehabilitation and Removal; 7) Aquatic Connectivity; 8) Marine District Habitat Restoration; 9) Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Enhancement; 10) Landfill Leachate Treatment

Salt Storage and Road Salt Reduction

Project Type Description

Funding is available for projects to:

  • Construct a permanent structure to cover a salt or a salt/sand mixture storage pile
  • Purchase brine-making equipment and brine storage tanks
  • Retrofit snowplows with live edge or segmented plow blades, plow guards, truck mounted brine spreading equipment, and GPS sensors to implement road salt reduction practices

Applicants seeking funding for both Salt Storage and Road Salt Reduction practices must submit two separate applications.

Waste Management Water Resource Management

Water Grants Highlights

Water grants provide funding to support clean water access, conservation projects, and infrastructure improvements. The following grants help nonprofits address water scarcity, promote sustainability, and enhance community well-being through innovative water solutions.


Search Instrumentl's Water Grants Database


Explore 375 funding opportunities for water-related initiatives, with $164.8M in resources. Instrumentl helps organizations secure funding with deadline tracking, customized grant searches, and insights to improve water access and conservation efforts.

Last updated: October 5, 2026. Next update: November 1, 2026.

Grant Insights : Water Grants

Grant Availability

How common are grants in this category?

Common — grants in this category appear regularly across funding sources.

400+ Water Grants grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

200+ Water Grants over $25K in average grant size

100+ Water Grants over $50K in average grant size

44 Water Grants supporting general operating expenses

400+ Water Grants supporting programs / projects

600+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Food Access & Hunger

300+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Sanitation & Clean Drinking Water

Grant Deadline Distribution

Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Water grants?

Most grants are due in the third quarter.

Q1
28.8%
Q2
20.9%
Q3
29.6%
Q4
20.6%

Typical Funding Amounts

What's the typical grant amount funded for Water Grants?

Grants are most commonly $65,000.

$250 $250 Min.
$65,000 $65 K Median
$773,827 $773.8 K Average
$18,000,000 $18 M Max.

Frequently asked questions

Nonprofits that help people get clean water, save water, or keep water clean might get these water-supporting grants. Groups that stop pollution, use water wisely or build water systems can also apply.

Water grants typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q3, with 29.6% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q4.

These grants help make sure water stays clean and safe to drink. They also protect rivers, lakes, and other water sources. The people giving the money care about nature, keeping people healthy, and fixing water problems caused by climate change.

Funding for water grants varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $18,000,000. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $65,000, while the average grant awarded is $773,827. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.

Water grants are majorly funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

State and local governments also provide funding through health departments and community service grants. Private foundations like Water.org focus on saving and providing drinkable water. Additionally, corporate initiatives, such as Coca-Cola and Nestlé, offer grants for projects that help the environment.

To improve grant success, nonprofits should:

  • Align with funder priorities – Tailor proposals to highlight the urgency of water issues.
  • Use measurable outcomes – Provide data-driven results to demonstrate past impact and expected future success.
  • Build strategic partnerships – Partner with environmental agencies as well as local communities.
  • Scalability – Providing scalable and long lasting solutions will make the application stronger.

Struggling to manage multiple grants? Learn how to stay organized with our comprehensive grant tracking spreadsheet guide.

Instrumentl streamlines the search for water grants by identifying relevant funding opportunities. You can track deadlines, and organize applications as well. It also provides insights into funder priorities to help nonprofits refine their grant-seeking strategies. Optimize your grant-seeking process with these research strategies.