Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant (EC-SDC)

PURPOSE OF FUNDING 
To provide grants to public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities in order to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS.

APPLICATION CONTACT 
Casey.Lippincott@dep.nj.gov

APPLICATION DEADLINE 
Rolling

NOTIFICATION DATE
Rolling

SOURCE OF FUNDING 
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supplementing EPA’s water programs

STATUTORY CITATION 
Safe Drinking Water Act Sections 1459A

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 (P.L. 117-58) Division J (FY 2022 Appropriations), Title VI – State and Tribal Assistance Grants (6)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE 
The project activities must take place within a small or disadvantaged community. Eligible activities include:

  • Efforts to address emerging contaminants in drinking water that would benefit a small or disadvantaged community on a per household basis;
  • Technical assistance to evaluate emerging contaminant problems;
  • Programs to provide household water-quality testing, including testing for unregulated contaminants;
  •  Local contractor training;
  • Activities necessary and appropriate for a state to respond to an emerging contaminant.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION 
Qualifying communities must be as described in section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA):

  • “Disadvantaged Community” is one determined by the state to be disadvantaged under the affordability criteria established by the state under section 1452(d)(3) of the Safe Drinking Water Act or may become a disadvantaged community as a result of carrying out a project or activity under the grant program. As with the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, each state has statutory discretion to set its own criteria.
  • “Small Community” is one that has a population of less than 10,000 individuals that the Administrator determines does not have the capacity to incur debt sufficient to finance a project or activity under the grant program. This is a statutory definition.

GRANT LIMIATIONS 
N/A

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
N/A

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
Casey Lippincott
Casey.Lippincott@dep.nj.gov