Wastewater Facility Planning Grants

The Wastewater Facility Planning Grants program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) through the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This grant initiative is designed to support small public wastewater treatment systems in Nebraska, particularly those serving communities with populations under 10,000. The goal is to help these communities address existing and future regulatory compliance challenges while ensuring that limited financial resources are managed efficiently and effectively. This is part of a broader state effort to promote sustainable infrastructure and public health through the responsible treatment of wastewater. Eligible entities can receive planning grants of up to $20,000. These grants are specifically intended to assist communities experiencing financial hardship in evaluating their wastewater systems. The funding allows them to hire consultants to assess system adequacy and develop future strategies. These assessments are crucial in identifying infrastructure weaknesses, ensuring regulatory compliance, and recommending technical or financial steps necessary to maintain operational viability over time. Communities are encouraged to use this funding not only for immediate assessments but also as a stepping stone toward securing larger financial support through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program. The eligible applicants for this program include publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) and nonpoint source control systems that serve a population of 10,000 or fewer. This can include cities, towns, villages, sanitary improvement districts, and natural resource districts, or any other public entity that manages a wastewater treatment facility. Privately-owned systems are explicitly excluded from eligibility. The DWEE determines grant eligibility through data collected from a biennial Needs Survey. This survey, called the Combined Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF Needs Survey, is sent out every fall and due back by January 15th. Following evaluation of the survey data, the DWEE identifies communities that would benefit most from planning grants and sends application materials directly to those selected. The process ensures that limited funding is directed toward communities that demonstrate both need and a commitment to follow through on the resulting planning recommendations. Notably, communities receiving these grants are expected to seek further funding through Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans in order to implement the recommended upgrades or improvements outlined in their planning reports. The state emphasizes that these grants are not intended as standalone solutions but as part of a strategic infrastructure development pipeline. The planning efforts supported by these grants should culminate in the submission of a loan application to execute improvements. This structured approach reinforces long-term planning and regulatory alignment. The DWEE prioritizes communities that are ready to move forward with the recommendations from their reports. For further details or assistance with the grant application process, prospective applicants can contact the DWEE directly. The primary contact email is ndee.srf@nebraska.gov, and inquiries can also be made by phone at (402) 471-4266. The physical office is located at 245 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68521, and the main department phone number is (402) 471-2186. Additional information on applicable rules and regulations can be found in Title 131 of the state’s regulatory code, as well as Title VI of the federal Clean Water Act.