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

This $27,582,000 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CFDA 66.468) program provides capitalization funding to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) to support low-interest financing for eligible drinking water infrastructure improvement projects throughout the state.

Through this award, NDEE will offer loans to public water systems to plan, design, and construct projects that enhance drinking water quality and safety, such as water treatment facility upgrades, lead service line replacements, and distribution system improvements. NDEE may also use a portion of the funds for technical assistance, operator certification activities, and source water protection initiatives. The anticipated deliverables include the financing, planning, design, and construction of public health-related drinking water projects, as well as initiatives to increase the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems. The expected outcome is improved public health protection for citizens across Nebraska.

The grant has a performance period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029. Sub-awards from this grant have been provided to several Nebraska municipalities, including the Village of Howells, City of Seward, City of Dakota City, and City of Wahoo, to support local drinking water infrastructure upgrades and improvements.

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:subawards are included in this assistance agreement.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.