Federal Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 awarded $10.43 million to the Louisiana Department of Health to capitalize the state's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The award, effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2030, provides low-interest financing to eligible public water systems for planning, design, and construction of drinking water infrastructure projects, with a strategic focus on emerging contaminant remediation, particularly perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) treatment. The Louisiana Department of Health will issue these funds as loans to municipalities rather than grants, even where subsidy is provided.

Beyond direct project financing, the recipient may utilize a portion of capitalization funds for set-aside activities including technical assistance to small water systems, operator certification programs, and source water protection initiatives. The anticipated deliverables include completed infrastructure projects addressing public health protection objectives under the Safe Drinking Water Act, along with increased technical, managerial, and financial capacity among Louisiana's public water systems. The intended beneficiaries are citizens throughout Louisiana, with outcomes measured through successful financing, planning, design, and construction of emerging contaminant-focused public health projects.