Calendar Year 2022 Disaster Water Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is offering funding through the Calendar Year (CY) 2022 Disaster Water Grants Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. This funding opportunity, part of the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023, is designed to help rural communities recover from damage sustained to water infrastructure systems due to disasters that occurred during CY 2022 and were declared Presidential Disasters. The program aims to support necessary expenses related to water system restoration, resiliency building, and adaptation to future hazards. The RUS will make a minimum of $247,250,000 available under this program, with funding continuing on a rolling basis beginning June 22, 2023, until funds are exhausted. Applications will be accepted continuously and reviewed according to guidelines set by the Congressional Review Act, which includes a 60-day delay following the official notice. The program will fund a wide range of project types including those involving the repair, restoration, or replacement of water infrastructure such as drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. Eligible expenses also cover legal, engineering, and administrative costs tied to project development and execution. Applicants must be either public bodies or nonprofit organizations. Eligible entities include States, counties, cities, towns, or nonprofit organizations operating on a not-for-profit basis. Additionally, federally recognized Tribes may apply. All applicants must demonstrate legal authority over the facility being repaired, operational responsibility, financial and managerial capacity, and compliance with federal laws and regulations. Projects must occur in areas affected by 2022 disasters that were officially declared as such by the federal government. Areas identified by FEMA and located in the U.S., including territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and others, are eligible provided they meet population and governance criteria. Funding is delivered via grant agreements, and there is no minimum or maximum award limit per applicant. However, there is no reimbursement for expenses previously funded by FEMA, other federal programs, or insurance. Projects are scored and evaluated based on population served, income levels, health priorities, the amount of non-federal funding committed, and whether the area is considered disadvantaged or distressed under USDA's screening tools. Points are also awarded for sustainability and resiliency planning. Applicants must submit materials through the USDA’s RD APPLY system, including various federal forms such as SF 424, SF 424-C, and RD 400 series documents. Preliminary engineering reports, environmental documentation, and evidence of insurance coverage are among required attachments. The program also mandates compliance with the System for Award Management (SAM), and applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Grant recipients are required to submit performance and financial reports regularly, including final and audited documentation depending on funding levels. For additional questions or support, applicants are advised to contact Angela Tilghman at Water-RD@usda.gov or via voice phone at (202) 720-2600. Applications will remain open until all funds are expended, with anticipated award announcements beginning in the summer of 2023. All supporting materials and application forms can be accessed via the RD APPLY platform or USDA program page.

Provide thorough documentation of project scope, disaster impact, and engineering plans. Ensure UEI and SAM registration are current.