Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF)
Forecasted
Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) supports publicly owned wastewater treatment plants and conveyance projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to reduce point source nutrient pollution.
Funder: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Grants for eligible wastewater treatment and conveyance projects; no award amount stated
Summary: WQIF supports Chesapeake Bay watershed wastewater projects that reduce point source nutrient pollution.
Key Information: Construction costs incurred before DEQ awards a grant agreement make a project ineligible.
Description
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the Water Quality Improvement Fund as part of the Commonwealth’s effort to reduce nutrient pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Established under the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Act of 1997, the fund provides financial assistance for point source nutrient reductions.
Current project eligibility focuses on designing and installing nutrient reduction technology at publicly owned wastewater treatment plants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, as well as certain wastewater conveyance infrastructure projects. DEQ’s Clean Water Financing and Assistance Program administers the funding. Construction grants are governed by enforceable agreements covering facility improvements and their long-term operation, maintenance, monitoring, and reporting.
