Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program
Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program supports Illinois water systems in quantifying and remediating emerging contaminants to address drinking and source water contamination.
Funder: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Due Dates: March 1, 2027 (Bid solicitation and priority cutoff) | August 31, 2027 (Application deadline, 1:00 p.m. CST; or until funds are expended)
Funding Amounts: $21,806,000 total program funding
Summary: Supports Illinois water systems serving small or disadvantaged communities to quantify and remediate emerging contaminants in drinking water and source water.
Key Information: Applicants must be eligible Illinois Community Water Supplies listed on the PWSLP FY 2027 EC-SDC Grant List or Project Priority List.
Description
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency administers this program using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funding to assist small or disadvantaged Illinois communities where emerging contaminants are already a problem or appear likely to become one in the near term. Sub-awards support eligible water systems in quantifying contamination and undertaking remediation projects.
The program covers contaminants identified on EPA Contaminant Candidate Lists 1 through 5. Based on the Public Water Supply Loan Program’s fiscal year 2027 Intended Use Plan, PFAS and manganese are expected to be the predominant contaminants addressed. Emerging-contaminant work must be the project’s primary purpose, accounting for at least 50% of total project cost or level of effort. Supported work includes engineering, construction, and grant-required reporting.
