Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program

Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program is sponsored by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program is a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that funds drinking water system improvements targeting PFAS and manganese contamination in small or disadvantaged communities.

EC-SDC Grant Program for OTM / NonProfit NN Systems | Emerging Contaminants-Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program for Other-than-Municipal/Nonprofit Non-transient Non-community Public Water Systems | Wisconsin DNR EC-SDC Grant Program for OTM / NonProfit NN Systems Emerging Contaminants-Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program for Other-than-Municipal/Nonprofit Non-transient Non-community Public Water Systems ATTENTION: Next funding cycle for PFAS and manganese in small drinking water systems opens February 1, 2026.

Please check the EC-SDC Grant Announcement and the EC-SDC FAQ resource for more details on how to prepare and submit an application. Applications due by September 30, 2026. The 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ( BIL ) provided funds to assist public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities in addressing emerging contaminants.

This program is known as the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC). The Wisconsin DNR received grant funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide financial assistance to OTM and nonprofit NN public water systems serving small or disadvantaged communities. This program focuses on PFAS and manganese as emerging contaminants.

Other-Than-Municipal Community (OTM) public water systems are not owned by a government or municipality and serve groups of 25 or more year-round residents. OTMs can include mobile home parks, apartment buildings, and condominium associations that are not on city or municipal water.

Non-Transient Non-Community (NN) public water systems are nonresidential and regularly serve groups of at least 25 of the same people over six months of the year. NNs can include schools and daycare centers that are not on city or municipal water.

A nonprofit NN is a government entity, a public school district or an organization that is described under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue code which does not lobby. You must answer "yes" to each of the following three questions: ☑ Are you the owner or authorized representative of an OTM or nonprofit NN public water system?

An authorized representative refers to the public water system owner or other designated individual who is legally allowed to act on behalf of the public water system. This person will assume responsibility for all grant award obligations and federal and state requirements and signs all grant administration documents (i.e., application, grant contract, payment reimbursement materials, close-out certifications, etc.).

☑ Does your public water system serve a community that has a population less than 10,000? ☑ Does your public water system have either PFAS or manganese contamination? PFAS contamination occurs when the sample result taken at an entry point in the water system contains: PFOA or PFOS of 2 ng/L or greater, PFHxS, PFNA or HFPO-DA of 5 ng/L or greater, PFAS with an EPA hazard index value of 0.

5 or greater, or PFAS with the 2020 DHS hazard index value of 1. 0 or greater. Manganese contamination occurs when the most recent sample taken at an entry point in the water system has a sample result of 300 µg/L or greater.

Project must include actions to address PFAS or manganese contamination. See the grant announcement for more detailed information. Examples of eligible items: Project planning and design Construction or treatment to address contamination, including: Consolidation with another water system New well construction and old well abandonment Complete applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applications are accepted continually until September 30, 2026, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. See the grant announcement for details on how to apply. If you have any questions, please email DNRECSDCGrants@wisconsin.

gov . STEP 1: Review the Eligibility tab and the grant announcement to verify your eligibility. STEP 2: Review the program requirements in the grant announcement, including applicable federal requirements.

The EC-SDC Next Steps for Applicants and EC-SDC FAQ resource & are helpful resources. STEP 3: Reach out to a technical assistance provider for free support. Note: This step is optional and not a requirement.

Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA) Great Lakes Environmental Infrastructure Center (GLEIC) STEP 4: Develop your project. Plan review may be needed for your project and is a separate process from the application. It is important to submit materials for plan review as soon as possible as it may take 90 days or longer to receive DNR approval.

STEP 6: Submit your application materials to: DNRECSDCGrants@wisconsin. gov . The DNR will only review submittals with complete applications and attachments.

The DNR will notify you if you are approved for a grant award. The DNR will only reimburse project costs incurred after the award date, unless the DNR approved eligible pre-award project costs.

A complete application package includes all of the following documents: EC-SDC Grant Application (Form 8700-029) with attachments Environmental Review Form (Form 8700-022) with attachments NNs only: IRS Tax-Exempt Affirmation Letter , unless government owned The application period opens February 1, 2026. Complete applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applications will be accepted continually until September 30, 2026, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. Application period deadline: September 30, 2026 Eligible projects may be funded up to $240,000 per public water system. There is no cost-share requirement for this grant.

The grant award will cover 100% of eligible project costs. In this application cycle, the department intends to award grants to OTM and nonprofit NN public water systems to address PFAS and manganese contamination. Funding for this grant program is provided to the State of Wisconsin by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 (BIL).

EC-SDC Grant Program Grant Award Recipients List Federal Award Identification Number: 00E03535 Federal Award Date: 09/14/2023 Assistance Listing#: 66. 442 - Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Total Amount of the Federal Award: $25,267,000.

00 FY23 EPA General Terms & Conditions Grant award payments are made on a reimbursement basis. Grantees may submit partial reimbursement requests quarterly for actual and eligible expenses incurred within the grant performance period. All costs submitted must be documented and consistent with the grant agreement.

The DNR will withhold 20% of grant award funds for final payment. Progress reports are due to the DNR semiannually on January 1st and July 1st for the duration of the grant performance period. Failure to submit reports in a timely manner may delay reimbursement request approval.

Reimbursement Request (Form 8700-026) Copies of vendor invoices and cancelled checks (front and back) Additional documentation is required for final payment requests: Semiannual Progress Report (Form 8700-028) Project Completion Certification (Form 8700-027) Licensed Well Contractors Find individuals and companies licensed to do well drilling, pump work and heat exchange drilling. Lists are grouped by county.

Technical Assistance Providers Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) The RCAP assists small communities throughout Wisconsin with utility, financial, asset management, and other needs. Wisconsin RCAP is part of Great Lakes RCAP, administered by Great Lakes Community Action Partnership.

Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA) The WRWA's mission is to educate the water and wastewater industry through training and technical assistance. The Delta Institute collaborates with communities to solve complex environmental challenges through the Midwest by addressing Midwestern environmental, economic, and climate challenges for a more resilient, equitable and innovative future.

Great Lakes Environmental Infrastructure Center (GLEIC) The GLEIC provides no-cost technical assistance services for drinking water systems serving 10,000 or fewer people. EC-SDC Grant Announcement EC-SDC Next Steps for Applicants Semiannual Progress Report (Form 8700-028) For application, reimbursement and other financial administration questions, contact: Manganese in Drinking Water (PDF) Grantee Financial & Record Guide (PDF)