Expedited Drinking Water Grant Program
The Expedited Drinking Water Grant Program supports California water systems and school districts by funding drinking water infrastructure construction to address high-priority risks and move projects forward.
Funder: California State Water Resources Control Board
Due Dates: No published deadline (DFA identifies and invites qualifying projects)
Funding Amounts: Grants or principal forgiveness; project limits follow the applicable Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan
Summary: Expedited funding helps qualifying California drinking water infrastructure projects move toward construction.
Key Information: Eligible projects must construct capital assets; planning-only projects do not qualify.
Description
The California State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Financial Assistance (DFA), through its Office of Sustainable Water Solutions, administers the Expedited Drinking Water Grant program. It combines state funding sources with Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) principal forgiveness to move qualifying, high-priority drinking water infrastructure projects toward construction through a streamlined process. Funding is provided as grants and/or principal forgiveness, not loans.
DFA identifies potential projects from partial or complete DWSRF construction applications and from projects receiving planning funding or technical assistance. The program prioritizes drinking water risks under the applicable DWSRF Intended Use Plan, alongside considerations such as the human right to water, regulatory priority, drought needs, project timing, and environmental-review status.
