Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Vermont and New Hampshire is a grant from USDA Rural Development that funds public bodies, nonprofit corporations, and federally-recognized tribes in rural Vermont and New Hampshire to construct or improve clean water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste facilities, and stormwater drainage. Eligible areas are rural communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer.

Funding combines long-term, low-interest loans (up to 40-year payback at fixed rates based on median household income) with grants when needed to keep user costs reasonable. Eligible uses include drinking water sourcing and distribution, sewer collection and treatment, solid waste disposal, and stormwater systems. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis from October 1 through September 30 each year.

# Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Vermont and New Hampshire | Rural Development **Official websites use** A **. gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

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Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Vermont and New Hampshire * 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 # Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Vermont and New Hampshire Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis from October 1 to September 30.

Contact a program official in your state (see contact tab below) to ask questions or explore other programs that may be a better fit for your needs. For state specific information: **Grant and Loan Eligibility:Eligibility is dependent on population size and area income. Contact your area specialist with questions about your community's eligibility.

** * Vermont -Grant and Loan Eligibility by Town * New Hampshire - Grant and Loan Eligibility by Town Some documents have been removed in accordance with Presidential Executive Orders. To request a copy, please see the Contact tab. **What does this program do?

** This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include: * Most state and local governmental entities * Federally-recognized tribes.")

**What is an eligible area? ** Areas that may be served include: * Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less-- check eligible addresses * Tribal lands in rural areas **What kinds of funding are available? ** * Long-term, low-interest loans * If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.

**How may the funds be used?

** Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of: * Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution * Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal * Solid waste collection, disposal and closure * Storm water collection, transmission and disposal In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as: * Legal and engineering fees * Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment * Start-up operations and maintenance * Interest incurred during construction * Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service * Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project * See 7 CFR Part 1780.

7 and 1780. 9for a complete list **What is the loan term and rate? ** * Up to 40-year payback period, based on the useful life of the facilities financed * Fixed interest rates, based on the need for the project and the median household income of the area to be served Contact us for details and current interest rates applicable for your project **Are there additional requirements?

** * Borrowers must have the legal authority to construct, operate and maintain the proposed services or facilities. * All facilities receiving federal financing must be used for a public purpose. * Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private and nonprofit entities that offer financial assistance are encouraged.

* Projects must be financially sustainable. **How do we get started? ** * Applications are accepted year round and may be filed electronically using **RD Apply**.

The RD Apply Customer Help Guideis provided to help you get started and work through the application process * Applications are also accepted through your local RD office. * Program resources are available online (i.e., forms, guidance, certifications, etc.). **Who can answer questions?

** * Contact the local representative who serves your area * Participating nonprofits in your area may also offer assistance and training **What governs this program? ** * Basic Program – 7 CFR, Part 1780 * Loan Servicing – 7 CFR, Part 1782 * Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act **Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

** This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses. Good practices can save tax dollars, improve the natural environment, and help manufacturers and businesses to locate or expand operations. **NOTE:** Program details may change over time.

Before you begin an application, please confirm you have the most current information by contacting a program specialist in your local RD office for assistance or consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "_What Governs this Program?"

_ **2025 Vermont and New Hampshire Application Cycle** Applications are accepted year-round; however, Community Facilities applications can often take months to complete due to the amount of documentation needed and the back and forth that takes place between the applicant and the agency. For this reason, we highly recommend that applicants consider submitting a complete application to **RD Apply****by January 17, 2025**.

This allows for the maximum time for the applicant and agency to work together before the funding decisions are made at the end of the federal fiscal year (September 30th). Applications received after this date will still be processed and reviewed for funding as funds become available, but it may be in the next fiscal year. **Vermont strongly encourages the use of****RD Apply****, our new electronic intake system.

A complete online application will also include the uploading of the following documents on RD Apply:** * EDU Directionsand EDU Calculation Sheet * Certificate of Organization(for public bodies) * Please note that technical reports, eg. preliminary engineering reports and environmental reports, should be ideally submitted by late fall/ early winter 2016.

**NOTE:** Please ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information, and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application. Current interest rates effective April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026.

National Architect Requirements: There are no other architect requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above. **National Engineering Requirements:** Individual states will have particular requirements based on state and local regulations.

Please contact the local RD office in the state where your project is located. **National Environmental Requirements:** RD 1970 Environmental Policies and Procedures. There are no other additional requirements at the national level.

If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above. **Dianne Drown**, Community Programs Specialist 481 Summer Street, Suite 203 **Rena Peck**,Community Programs Specialist There are currently no events scheduled. * Report Fraud on USDA Contracts * Architectural Barriers Act * USDA Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement * Non-Discrimination Statement Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture