Formula Grant 96884025

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 awarded $28.65 million in capitalization grant funding to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality on January 1, 2026, under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program (CFDA 66.468). This funding, authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), will establish low-interest financing mechanisms for eligible public water systems to support planning, design, and construction of drinking water infrastructure improvements, with a strategic emphasis on lead service line (LSL) identification, replacement, and related activities. The award period extends through December 31, 2032, and supports the public health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

The recipient will deploy these funds through its Intended Use Plan (IUP) to provide capitalized financing to public water systems while establishing set-asides for targeted technical, managerial, and financial capacity building. Key deliverables include financing mechanisms, planning and design services, and construction support for LSL replacement projects. The City of Mandan (through the Mandan Park District) was identified as an initial sub-grantee on February 4, 2026, to implement lead service line replacement activities. The anticipated outcomes include enhanced drinking water infrastructure across North Dakota, increased organizational capacity among public water systems, and broad public health protection for state residents through elimination of lead service line exposure risks.