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

The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program in South Carolina is administered by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES). The program was created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and operates through statutory authority granted in Section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). It is part of a broader national effort to reduce exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other contaminants listed on the EPA’s Contaminant Candidate Lists (CCLs) found in drinking or source water. The EC-SDC program addresses these challenges in small or disadvantaged communities that often lack the technical or financial capacity to respond to such threats on their own. Eligible entities include public water systems (PWSs) — whether privately or publicly owned — and nonprofit non-community systems, as well as nonprofit organizations partnering with eligible PWSs. To qualify as a small or disadvantaged community, applicants must serve fewer than 10,000 people, have a median household income (MHI) below the state average, and demonstrate an inability to afford a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan. Additionally, systems serving private well owners whose water exceeds health-based contaminant thresholds may also qualify. The program does not require matching funds or cost sharing from applicants. Funding can support a wide range of activities, including feasibility studies, preliminary engineering reports, and design plans to identify and plan appropriate treatment methods for emerging contaminants. Implementation activities eligible for funding include installation of new treatment systems, development of alternative water sources, and consolidation or interconnection of water systems. The grant also funds source water protection measures such as non-routine sampling, public education, and deployment of best management practices to prevent contamination of water supplies. Applications are due by March 31, 2026. SCDES conducts an annual call for projects each year in the first quarter and provides program information through outreach emails, a program website, and webinars. Projects will be reviewed using the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Priority Ranking System and evaluated on factors such as contaminant severity, population served, project feasibility, and cost. Late submissions may be considered on a rolling basis, subject to fund availability. Projects must be completed within 24 months of the grant award. Funded projects must also comply with extensive federal requirements, including those related to civil rights, procurement, environmental review, the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), and disadvantaged business enterprise participation. Grant disbursements are provided on a reimbursement basis, with 10% of awarded funds withheld until project completion and approval of a final report. Quarterly reporting is mandatory, regardless of project progress. Technical assistance is provided at no cost to eligible applicants through the South Carolina Rural Water Association. This support includes application development, compliance guidance, system viability assessments, and training. All required forms and additional guidance documents are accessible on the program website. The primary contact for the EC-SDC Grant Program is Frank S. Nemeth, M.S.P.H., who can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 803.898.3993.

Submit early; consult with SCRWA for technical help.