Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program in Puerto Rico

Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program in Puerto Rico is sponsored by USDA Rural Development. Grant funding to qualified nonprofits to support access to individually owned water and wastewater services in eligible rural areas.

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Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program in Puerto Rico * Community Facilities Programs * Multifamily Housing Programs * Single Family Housing Programs * Telecommunications Programs * Water & Environmental Programs * Program Support Services * General Terms and Conditions * General Terms and Conditions - Legacy * For Water & Environmental Engineers * Rural Development Disaster Assistance # Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program in Puerto Rico The application period is July 28, 2026, through September 30, 2026.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity will be posted to Grants. gov when the application period opens. You may review the previous period’s posting by clicking on Grants.

gov posting below. You may also contact the Grant Manager at Water-RD@usda. gov with questions about the program.

For state specific information: **What does this program do? ** This program provides grant funding to qualified nonprofits, including tribally owned nonprofits, to create a revolving loan fund or to award sub-grants to homeowners for supporting access to individually owned water and wastewater services in eligible rural areas. **Who may apply for these grants?

** * Expertise and experience promoting the safe, productive use of individually-owned household water wells systems * Legal authority to act as a lender * Sufficient expertise and experience in lending activities * Financial, technical and managerial capacity to comply with relevant federal and state laws and regulations **How may grant funds be used?

** Grant funds may be used to help a nonprofit create a revolving loan fund for eligible individuals who own and occupy a home in an eligible rural area. The fund may be used to construct, refurbish, or service individually owned household water well and decentralized wastewater systems. Terms for the loans include one percent fixed interest rate, 20-year maximum term, and $15,000 maximum loan per household.

The nonprofit may also award subgrants for the same purposes to eligible individuals meeting certain conditions. **Are matching funds required for the grant? ** No. The nonprofit must contribute at least 10 percent in order to receive priority points for applicant contributions.

* Matching funds may be from the non-profit applicant or a third party. * Matching funds may not be in-kind. **What is an eligible area?

** * Rural areas and towns with populations of 50,000 or less - check eligible addresses * Tribal lands.") in rural areas **Note:** Homeowners seeking a loan financing for an individually owned household water well or decentralized wastewater system should contact RD one of the current grantees listed at the **Contact** tab. **Are there any Environmental requirements associated with this grant?

** RUS will notify a successful applicant by an award letter accompanied by a grant agreement and multi-tier action environmental compliance agreement. The grant agreement will contain the terms and conditions for the grant; the multi-tier action environmental compliance agreement will detail the Recipient’s responsibilities in meeting the Agency’s Environmental Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR part 1b.

The applicant must execute and return the agreements, accompanied by any additional items required by the award letter or grant agreement. **How do we get started? ** * Electronic applications are accepted through Grants.

gov. **Who can answer questions? ** * Grant Manager at Water-RD@usda. gov. * Staff in your local RD office.

**What governs this program? ** * Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR 1776 * Section 306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act **Why does USDA Rural Development do this? ** This program helps communities improve access to safe, reliable drinking water for households and improve the sanitary conditions caused by inadequate decentralized wastewater systems in rural areas.

**Grants. gov Grant Opportunity** * Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program **NOTE**: Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information for this program and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application.

Please also refer to the application materials listed below. National Architect Requirements: There are no other architect, engineering or environmental requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.

There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above. Danna Quiles - Program Director Aixa Camareno - Loan Specialist Stephania Alvarez - Loan Specialist stephania.

alvarezvelez@usda. gov Javier Medina - Loan Specialist Olga Arboleda - Loan Technician olga. arboledaosorio@usda.

gov * Report Fraud on USDA Contracts * Architectural Barriers Act * USDA Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement * Non-Discrimination Statement Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture