Drinking Water and Wastewater Grants and Loans
Drinking Water and Wastewater Grants and Loans supports Idaho water systems and communities with planning and infrastructure funding to improve water quality and maintain safe, adequate drinking water supplies.
Funder: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Due Dates: November 9, 2026 (LOI training) | January 8, 2027 (Letter of Interest) | December 31, 2027 (Planning readiness, where applicable)
Funding Amounts: Drinking water planning: up to $45,000; wastewater planning: up to $65,000 (each covers 50% of planning costs); low-interest loans also available
Summary: Grants and loans support Idaho drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water-quality planning and infrastructure projects.
Key Information: Systems must meet program-specific payment and project-readiness requirements before submitting an LOI.
Description
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers federal and state funding for grants and low-interest loans to improve Idaho’s water resources. Drinking water assistance supports eligible public water systems in planning for safe, adequate supplies. Wastewater assistance supports building or repairing existing treatment facilities to achieve and maintain state and federal standards or provide direct water-quality benefits.
Funding pathways include facility planning grants, Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans, sewer overflow and stormwater planning grants, and drinking water emerging-contaminant grants for small or disadvantaged communities. Projects can address treatment, collection, disposal, source development, system consolidation, and nonpoint source pollution, depending on the funding pathway. DEQ also lists lead service line and clean water emerging-contaminant opportunities.
