2024 Regional Water Implementation Grant

The Regional Water Implementation Grant, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, aims to foster collaboration and cooperation among water systems across Kansas. This grant is designed to work in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Regional Water Planning Grant, providing essential funding for preliminary engineering studies. The program is open to all incorporated cities and counties in Kansas that do not receive an annual Community Development Block Grant entitlement allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The primary purpose of the Regional Water Implementation Grant is to support projects that promote the consolidation of water systems within the state. Eligible projects include those that lead to the merging of two or more public water supply systems into a single governing body, the creation or expansion of a Public Wholesale Water Supply District, and initiatives that benefit at least two primary public water supply systems that are not currently interconnected. The grant aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of water supply management in Kansas. For the 2024 funding cycle, the grant offers financial support ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. Applicants are required to provide a 50 percent match, which can be sourced from local funds or combined with funds from the KDHE Regional Public Water Supply Planning Grant Program. This financial structure encourages local investment in water system improvements and ensures that projects have community backing. Eligibility for the grant is limited to incorporated cities and counties in Kansas that do not receive annual CDBG entitlement allocations. Notable ineligible communities include Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, and all of Johnson County. Additionally, any city or county with an open CDBG project requiring a time extension or that has exceeded its original contract end date will be deemed ineligible. The application process requires adherence to specific submission requirements, including compliance with CDBG procurement guidelines for procurement and engineering services. Applicants must also form a legally recognized entity, such as a Public Wholesale Water Supply District or an Interlocal Agreement, for the feasibility study. Bonus points are available for communities that have not received a CDBG grant in the last five years and for those that secure at least 10 percent of their local match from private sources. The evaluation of applications will consider several criteria, including the project's alignment with the grant's objectives and the applicant's previous funding history. The timeline for the 2024 grant cycle indicates that the application deadline is set for December 2, 2024. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to Ginny Eardley at the Kansas Department of Commerce for further information and guidance on the application process.