Division of Water Quality
Emerging Contaminants Funding Program
The State of Utah Water Quality Board is administering a competitive program to fund eligible projects in the state to address identified Emerging Contaminants (EC). These are defined as substances and microorganisms, including manufactured or naturally occurring physical, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials that may pose newly identified or re-emerging risks to human health, aquatic life, or the environment. An example of an EC is Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Available Funding
At this time the Water Quality Board has two fiscal years of funding available totaling approximately $1.6 million. These funds are available as principal forgiveness. Principal forgiveness is an additional subsidy that reduces the amount of principal a Clean Water State Revolving Fund borrower is required to pay back on a loan. This has an overall result of the borrower repaying $0 of this funding.
Project Eligibility Requirements
Applicant
Municipalities and municipal entities (meeting 33 USC section 1362 definition) are eligible to receive these grant funds.
Timeline
Projects must start within 18 months of being awarded and be substantially completed within 3 years.
Project Type
Any project eligible under EPA’s guidance is eligible to apply for funding under the Emerging Contaminants fund. Listed below are a few important topics identified by the State of Utah, but it is not an exhaustive list of all eligible projects.
Note: All projects must have a reasonable expectation of a capital project. In other words, studies cannot be conducted only for evaluation, but there must be a plan for a path forward for a water quality project to be constructed. Additionally, funds can only be used for capital costs, they can not be used for operation and maintenance activities.
Funding Match Requirements
No matching funds are required. However, matching funds are likely to be required to complete a project if only partial funding authorized. Projects with contingency funds available will be more likely to be successful.
The application for the EC Funding Program will be open from January 27, 2025, to 5 P.M. on May 2, 2025. Please review the EC Funding Program Application Summary to view a list of the information required to complete the application. Due to the need to upload documents, applicants will need a google account to complete the form. will be required to provide non-federal funding for 20% of the project.