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

EPA Region 7 awarded the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment $36.055 million under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CFDA 66.468) capitalization grant on April 1, 2026, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The award finances low-interest loans to eligible public water systems for lead service line replacement projects and associated planning, design, and construction activities. The recipient will administer the DWSRF program, providing financing to public water systems and using set-asides for technical assistance to small systems, operator certification activities, and source water protection. The award includes subawards to subrecipients for project delivery. Funds support the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines in Nebraska, with deliverables intended to increase technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems and achieve public health protection benefiting state residents. Performance extends through March 31, 2031, with all work occurring in Nebraska.

Funds will be used for DWSRF-eligible lead service line replacement projects and associated activities directly connected to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines. 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 setasides, 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 lead service line projects and associated activities. Deliverables will also be used to increase the lead service line-related technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems. The expected outcome is public health protection. The intended beneficiaries include citizens throughout the state.