This agreement provides a capitalization grant, funded by the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (public law 117-58), for the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund (dwsrf) program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6, awarded a capitalization grant of $37.65 million to the Louisiana Department of Health under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program (CFDA 66.468) on May 1, 2025. Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), this award enables Louisiana to provide low-interest-rate financing to eligible public water systems for planning, design, and construction of drinking water infrastructure improvements. The funds further the public health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act by supporting projects addressing critical water quality needs, lead service line replacement, and emerging contaminant remediation.

The Louisiana Department of Health will deploy DWSRF funding as a revolving loan fund, providing financing to communities and utilities through loan agreements rather than direct grants. Additionally, the award supports set-aside activities including technical assistance to small water systems, operator certification programs, and source water protection initiatives. The anticipated outcomes include enhanced technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems across Louisiana's 64 parishes, with ultimate completion by May 1, 2030. Primary beneficiaries include citizens throughout Louisiana, with the primary deliverable being sustainable financing mechanisms and completed public health-related drinking water infrastructure projects.

The award furthers the public health protection objectives of the safe drinking water act (sdwa). Activities:the recipient of these funds will provide low interest rate financing to eligible public water systems for the costs associated with the planning, design, and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific set-asides, including but not limited to providing technical assistance to small systems, for operator certification activities, and source water protection activities. Subrecipient:the louisiana department of health will be entering into funding agreements with communities/utilities as part of the drinking water state revolving fund program, and are therefore considered sub-awards. However, these will be awarded as loans and not sub-grants.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include financing, planning, design, and construction of eligible public health-related projects. Deliverables will also be used to increase the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems. The expected outcome is public health protection. The intended beneficiaries include citizens throughout the state.