The Wisconsin DNR released a new grant program to help certain water systems provide safer water to their communities.
The Underserved Drinking Water System Grant Program will help other-than-municipal community and nonprofit non-transient non-community public water systems provide safe water in Wisconsin by providing funding for systems to address active violations and action level exceedances.
The application period opens Sep. 3 and closes Dec. 3.
Following the release of the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program, this is the second grant program that will reach these two types of public water systems, which have historically been unable to receive financial assistance in Wisconsin.
“Public water systems strive to provide safe water to their communities, but many lack the financial capacity to afford the much-needed infrastructure changes,” says Adam DeWeese, DNR public water supply section manager.
Who Is Eligible?
Other-than-municipal community: public water systems not owned by a government or municipality and serve groups of 25 or more year-round residents. Examples include mobile home parks, apartment buildings, and condominium associations.
Nonprofit non-transient non-community: non-residential public water systems that regularly serve groups of at least 25 of the same people over 6 months of the year and are nonprofit. Examples include public schools and nonprofit daycare centers. These systems should verify they are nonprofit to qualify for the grant.
Owners of water systems with active violations or action level exceedances should review eligibility requirements in the grant announcement.
