EPA-OW-OGWDW-26-01 - Final.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Applications Due: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Office of Water, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OW-OGWDW-26-01 i

Contents

1. Basic Information

A. Executive Summary B. Key Information:

C. Key Dates:

D. Funding Details:

E. Agency Contact Information:

F. Other Funding Considerations

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants

(1) Other Eligibility Requirements

B. Cost Sharing

3. Program Description

A. Purpose, Priorities, and Activities B. Program Goals and Objectives C. Statutory Authority D. Funding Type

4. Application Contents and Format

A. Application Forms B. Project Narrative Description C. Applicants Using Contractors D. Release Copies of Applications E. Coalition Coverage F. Quality Assurance/Quality Control

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

A. Submission Dates and Times B. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) C. Submission Instructions D. Technical Issues with Submission E. Intergovernmental Review

6. Application Review Information

A. Responsiveness Review B. Review Criteria C. Review and Selection Process

(1) Other Evaluation Factors

D. Risk Review

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements ii

B. Reporting C. Subaward and Executive Compensation Reporting

9. Other Information

A. Additional Provisions for Applicants

1. Basic Information U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Water, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/training-and-technical-assistance-improve-water-quality-and-enable-small-public-water-0

A. Executive Summary The Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water grant program supports small public water systems (PWS) in operations and maintenance to achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

The 1996 amendments of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) provide a framework for states and water systems to work together to protect public health. By law, every state has a Capacity Development Program to assist public water systems in building technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capabilities (sometimes referred to as “capacity”). Additionally, provisions of the SDWA Section 1452(a)(3) have a requirement for PWSs to demonstrate TMF capability in order to receive loan assistance from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). Without TMF capabilities, States are not permitted to provide PWSs with loan assistance unless the system has agreed to make the necessary changes in operation to ensure that it has the TMF capabilities to comply over the long term.

Aside from enhancing eligibility for DWSRF funding, ensuring TMF capabilities of PWSs is essential to ensuring PWSs reliably deliver safe drinking water and protect public health. Strong TMF capabilities are necessary for systems to maintain or attain compliance with the SDWA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) and state regulations.

The grant program also assists small publicly-owned wastewater systems and onsite/decentralized wastewater systems to improve operational performance and sustainable operations over the long term, improving public health and water quality. Additionally, the grant program provides technical assistance to private well owners to protect their drinking water supply and improve water quality.

Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, public institutions of higher education (IHEs), and nonprofit private universities and colleges. Selected applicants are expected to provide direct technical assistance and training to assist small drinking water systems, small publicly-owned wastewater systems and onsite/decentralized wastewater systems, and private well owners.

B. Key Information:

Opportunity Number:

EPA-OW-OGWDW-26-01

Assistance Listing:

66.436 and 66.424

Announcement Type:

Initial

Funding Available:

$30.7 million

Number of Awards:

https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/training-and-technical-assistance-improve-water-quality-and-enable-small-public-water-0 https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/training-and-technical-assistance-improve-water-quality-and-enable-small-public-water-0 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1#p-200.1(Institution%20of%20Higher%20Education%20(IHE))

C. Key Dates:

April 27, 2026 11:59 pm ET Questions Submission Deadline

May 13, 2026 11:59 pm ET Application Submission Deadline

July 2026 Anticipated Notification of Selection

August 2026 Anticipated Award Notification

D. Funding Details:

It is anticipated that up to five awards will be made under this announcement. The amount of funding is expected to be $30,700,000, depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. Awards funded under this opportunity are expected to have a two year project period.

E. Agency Contact Information:

Further information, if needed, may be obtained from the EPA contact(s) indicated below.

Technical Contact: Brianna Knoppow, SmallSystemsRFA@EPA.gov

Eligibility Contact: Brianna Knoppow, SmallSystemsRFA@EPA.gov

Electronic Submissions Contact: Grants.gov: support@grants.gov; 1-800-518-4726

Note to Applicants: In accordance with EPA’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1) and consistent with the provisions in the announcement, EPA will respond to questions from individual applicants regarding threshold eligibility criteria, administrative issues related to the submission of the application, and requests for clarification about any of the language or provisions in the announcement. In accordance with the Policy, EPA cannot meet with individual applicants to discuss draft applications, provide informal comments on draft applications, or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to ranking criteria. Applicants are responsible for the contents of their applications.

Please note that applicants should raise any questions they may have about the solicitation language to the contact identified above as soon as possible so that any questions about the solicitation language may be clarified prior to submitting a proposal. In addition, if necessary, EPA may clarify threshold eligibility issues with applicants prior to making a final eligibility determination.

Questions about this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) must be submitted in writing via e-mail and must be received by the Agency Contact identified above by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, April 27, 2026 and written responses will be posted on EPA’s website. Please note answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs), including relevant definitions, are available at the same website. EPA strongly recommends interested applicants refer to the FAQs webpage prior to submitting a question.

F. Other Funding Considerations National Priority Areas

Up to $30,700,000 may be awarded under this NOFO. There are three National Priority Areas (NPAs). The total funding amount for each NPA reflects Congressional appropriation levels. Applicants may submit more than one application package under this announcement as long as each one is submitted mailto:SmallSystemsRFA@EPA.gov mailto:SmallSystemsRFA@EPA.gov mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/training-and-technical-assistance-improve-water-quality-and-enable-small-public-water-0 https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/training-and-technical-assistance-improve-water-quality-and-enable-small-public-water-0 separately and addresses only one National Priority Area. Applicants may not submit more than one application per individual National Priority Area.

The following are the anticipated amounts of total awards in each of the three National Priority Areas.

National Priority Area 1: Training and Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems to Achieve and Maintain Compliance with the SDWA, including Improving Financial and Managerial Capacity. Up to three awards are anticipated under this National Priority Area, ranging from a minimum of $8,000,000 in federal funds, to no more than $13,000,000 in federal funds, depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project(s). The total anticipated amount of federal funding to potentially be made available under this National Priority Area is approximately $26,000,000, depending on agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

National Priority Area 2: Training and Technical Assistance for Small Publicly-Owned Wastewater Systems and Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems to Help Improve Water Quality and Sustainable Operations. One award is anticipated under this National Priority Area for no more than $1,250,000 in federal funds, depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project(s). The total anticipated amount of federal funding to potentially be made available under this National Priority Area is approximately $1,250,000, depending on agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

National Priority Area 3: Training and Technical Assistance for Private Well Owners to Help Improve Water Quality. One award is anticipated under this National Priority Area for no more than $3,450,000 in federal funds, depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project(s). The total anticipated amount of federal funding to potentially be made available under this National Priority Area is approximately $3,450,000, depending on agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

The actual award amounts and number of projects awarded under each of the NPAs described above may differ from the estimated amounts for many reasons including the number of meritorious applications received, agency priorities, and funding availability. In addition, the EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease (including decreasing to zero) the total number and amounts of awards under each NPA and the announcement, or change the ratio of assistance agreements it awards among the NPAs.

In addition, the EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions. Awards may be fully or incrementally funded, as appropriate, based on funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations.

In appropriate circumstances, the EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If the EPA decides to partially fund an application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the application, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

2. Eligibility A. Eligible Applicants Only these types of organizations may apply:

• Nonprofit organizations.

• Public institutions of higher education (IHEs)

• Nonprofit private universities and colleges

For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. States, municipalities, Tribal governments, and individuals are not eligible to apply. Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. The EPA may ask applicants to demonstrate that they are eligible for funding under this announcement.

Consistent with Assistance Listing No. 66.436 and 66.424 and the EPA’s Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements (EPA Order 5700.5A1), this funding opportunity is being limited to a subset of eligible applicants.

(1) Other Eligibility Requirements

Applications must meet the following threshold criteria to be considered eligible:

1. Applications must address only one of the National Priority Areas listed in Section 1. If an applicant wishes to address more than one program priority, they must submit a separate application for each priority. Applications that include more than one priority will be deemed ineligible.

2. Applicants may not submit more than one application per individual National Priority Area. If an applicant submits more than one application for a single Priority Area, EPA will contact them before the review process begins to determine which application(s) will be withdrawn.

If the applicant is not able to communicate a decision within two business days of being contacted by the EPA, the EPA will accept the application received by Grants.gov first.

3. Applications for National Priority Area 2 must address the two elements of that priority as described in Section 3 or they will be deemed ineligible.

4. Applications for awards under National Priority Area 1 must request at least the minimum of $8,000,000 in federal funds and no more than $13,000,000 in federal funds; applications for awards under National Priority Area 2 must not request more than $1,250,000 in federal funds; and applications for awards under National Priority Area 3 must not request more than $3,450,000 in federal funds. Applications exceeding the maximum federal funding request amount for the applicable National Priority Area it addresses will be rejected.

5. An applicant must demonstrate how it will meet the cost-share/match requirement in Section 2 of this announcement at the time of application submission.

6. Eligible activities include training and technical assistance only. Infrastructure projects such as repairing water or sewer lines; adding new equipment; or upgrading, retrofitting, or rehabilitating existing equipment are not eligible for funding under this announcement. If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible for funding.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Nonprofit%20organization) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1#p-200.1(Institution%20of%20Higher%20Education%20(IHE)) https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements

7. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section 4 and Section 5 of this announcement or else they will be rejected. However, where a page limit is expressed in Section 4 with respect to the application, or parts thereof, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

Section 4 establishes a 13-page, single-spaced Project Narrative page limit. Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in application format, including selecting a legible font type and size for use in the application.

Please see Section 6.A for additional threshold criteria.

B. Cost Sharing Applicants must demonstrate in their proposal how it will meet the cost share requirement to be considered eligible. Selected recipients must comply with 2 CFR 200.306 when meeting a cost share requirement.

All applicants must demonstrate in their application submission how they will contribute a minimum non-federal cost-share/match of 10 percent of the total amount of federal funding requested for the project. The non-federal cost-share/match may be provided in cash or can come from in-kind contributions, such as use of volunteers and/or donated time, equipment, expertise, etc., and is subject to the regulations governing matching fund requirements described in 2 CFR 200.306, as applicable. In-kind contributions often include salaries or other verifiable costs and this value must be carefully documented. In the case of salaries, applicants may use either minimum wage or fair market value.

Cost-share/match must be used for eligible and allowable project costs. Cost-share/matching funds are considered grant funds and are included in the total award amount and should be used for the reasonable and necessary expenses of carrying out the workplan. All grant funds are subject to federal audit. Any restrictions on the use of grant funds also apply to the use of cost-share/match. Other federal grants may not be used as cost- share/match without specific statutory authority. Applicants that do not demonstrate how they will meet the minimum non-federal cost-share/match requirement in their application submission will not be considered for funding.

3. Program Description A. Purpose, Priorities, and Activities Purpose: The purpose of this funding opportunity is to help communities comply with environmental regulations and to assist them in building their technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capabilities to sustainably operate drinking water, wastewater, and private well infrastructure.

Program Office Priorities: All communities deserve access to clean, reliable water. Yet too many communities across America face challenges in providing safe drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services to their residents. EPA’s Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) connects communities to experts who help assess and implement solutions for their drinking water, sewage, and stormwater needs and assist communities in reaching compliance with regulations. Improving water quality is a priority for EPA and the Trump Administration, as outlined in the Make Our Children Healthy Again White House Strategy. Protecting the health of the country is the top priority of EPA, and EPA’s RealWaterTA programs help ensure America – and America’s water – is healthy.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.306 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2FThe-MAHA-Strategy-WH.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CAja.Hayley%40epa.gov%7C38fee8999362412d305008de63fafe7e%7C88b378b367484867acf976aacbeca6a7%7C0%7C0%7C639058126811081682%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mi0BuHmzUdz9L18VRlZmHrpMbEdGES6rBZ%2FcnTDOixY%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2FThe-MAHA-Strategy-WH.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CAja.Hayley%40epa.gov%7C38fee8999362412d305008de63fafe7e%7C88b378b367484867acf976aacbeca6a7%7C0%7C0%7C639058126811081682%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mi0BuHmzUdz9L18VRlZmHrpMbEdGES6rBZ%2FcnTDOixY%3D&reserved=0

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act, EPA will achieve greater public health protection through an increase in: trained water sector personnel, improved performance of small public drinking water and wastewater systems, Safe Drinking Water Act compliance, and protection of private drinking water wells from contamination. This action advances the Administration’s priorities to Make America Healthy Again by improving water quality and reducing exposure risks, and enabling responsible economic growth for small public water systems through improved drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. In partnership with States, Tribes, and local governments and grounded in sound science and the law, EPA will deliver cleaner water, stronger infrastructure, and long-term environmental stewardship for all Americans.

The EPA’s Office of Water (OW) serves as the National Program Lead and principal advisor to the Administrator and provides Agency-wide policy, guidance and direction for the Agency’s water quality, drinking water, groundwater wetlands protection, marine and estuarine protection, and other water related programs.

The awards made under this funding opportunity will support OW’s mission by enabling small systems to achieve and maintain compliance with SDWA and the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs).

The awards will aid small public water systems in operating and maintaining their systems, and in building TMF capabilities to provide safe water in communities across America. Additionally, the awards under this funding opportunity will assist publicly-owned wastewater systems, onsite/decentralized wastewater systems, and private well owners.

Consistent with EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, awards made through this funding opportunity will increase the ability of Americans to access clean and safe drinking water.

RealWaterTA is an important part of Powering the Great American Comeback by helping ensure Americans have clean and safe water while also supporting cooperative federalism by working with communities and connecting them to resources they can use to take action and make informed decisions.

Environmental Results: Applicants are required to describe how funding will help EPA achieve Pillar 1:

Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American, through well-defined outputs and outcomes in their responses to the criteria in Section 6. Outputs and outcomes specific to each project will be identified as deliverables in the negotiated workplan if the application is selected for award. Recipients will be expected to report progress toward the attainment of expected project outputs and outcomes during the project performance period, in order to ensure protection of public health.

Outputs and outcomes are defined as follows:

Outputs (or deliverables) refer to an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal or objective, that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period.

Outcomes are the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective, and are used as a way to gauge a project’s performance. Outcomes may be environmental, technical, health-related or programmatic in nature. Outcomes must be quantitative and may not necessarily be achieved within an assistance agreement funding period. Outcomes may be short-term (advancements in skills), intermediate (changes in technical practices), or long-term (changes in condition of the natural resource and advancement of public health).

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-administrator-lee-zeldin-announces-epas-powering-great-american-comeback

For National Priority Area 1, outputs and outcomes should directly address the goal of helping small public water systems achieve and maintain compliance with the SDWA and provide safe drinking water in the long term. For National Priority Area 2 and National Priority Area 3, outputs and outcomes should address the goal of improving water quality.

Examples of anticipated environmental outputs from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement for National Priority Area 1, Training and Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems to Achieve and Maintain Compliance with the SDWA, including Improving Financial and Managerial Capacity, may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• An increased number of small public water system managers and operators receiving training and technical assistance in regulatory requirements, basic water system operations, and advanced treatment issues, including receiving training utilizing hands-on and other approaches that maximize understanding and knowledge retention.

• An increased number of small public water systems conducting diagnostic and troubleshooting analyses to determine factors affecting performance and compliance with applicable national primary drinking water standards.

• An increased number of small public water systems receiving technical assistance in developing and implementing assessments, response plans, and mitigation to address water system resiliency and threats.

• An increased number of small public water systems receiving technical assistance in developing and implementing source water protection plans.

• An increased number of small public water system managers and operators receiving training and technical assistance in financial and managerial capacity concepts and practices.

• An increased number of board members and other small system decision makers receiving training on asset management, threat mitigation, and other sustainable management and financial concepts.

• An increased number of small public water systems implementing asset management programs.

• An increased number of small public water systems receiving energy audits and water loss analyses.

• An increased number of small public water systems developing plans to implement water system partnerships such as shared treatment and operators, restructuring, consolidation, or other collaboration or partnership actions with other water systems.

Examples of anticipated environmental outputs from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement for National Priority Area 2, Training and Technical Assistance for Small Publicly-Owned Wastewater Systems and Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems to Help Improve Water Quality, may include, but are not limited to, the following.

For training and technical assistance for small publicly-owned wastewater systems:

• An increased number of system managers, board members, and other decision makers receiving training on sustainable utility management, and based on an assessment of their operations, training on asset management, and other sustainable management and financial concepts.

• An increased number of small publicly-owned wastewater systems receiving or performing energy audits and taking actions to improve energy efficiency based on audit results.

For training and technical assistance for onsite/decentralized wastewater systems:

• An increased number of community leaders, system operators, or onsite/decentralized Responsible Management Entities receiving training or technical assistance on analyzing treatment alternatives, management requirements, or homeowner education.

• An increased number of onsite/decentralized wastewater systems that have been inventoried, inspected, or have maintenance schedules or manuals for new or upgraded systems.

Examples of anticipated environmental outputs from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement for National Priority Area 3, Training and Technical Assistance for Private Drinking Water Well Owners to Help Improve Water Quality, may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• An increased number of private drinking water well owners receiving technical assistance and training on topics of interest to private drinking water well owners, such as well construction, well maintenance and operation, well testing, ground water quality and protection, and state regulations impacting private wells.

• An increased number of private drinking water well owners who receive information on how to respond to emergencies.

• Increased information, technical assistance, and training to organizations potentially affecting private drinking water well owners to protect public health.

Environmental outcomes are the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective and are used as a way to gauge a project’s performance and take the form of output measures and outcome measures. Outcomes may be short-term (e.g., changes in knowledge and skills), intermediate (e.g., changes in practice), or long-term (e.g., changes in condition of the natural resource, advancement of public health).

Examples of anticipated outcomes from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement for National Priority Area 1, Training and Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems to Achieve and Maintain Compliance with the SDWA, including Improving Financial and Managerial Capacity, may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• An increase in the knowledge and competency of small public water system operators in the areas of regulatory requirements and water system operations.

• A measurable improvement in the performance of small public water systems where operational changes or other recommendations were implemented following a system diagnostic evaluation.

• An increased number of small public water systems in compliance with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations or making substantial progress toward compliance as indicated by measured performance, reduced enforcement priority status or other factors.

• A measurable improvement in the performance of small public water systems such as those implementing asset management programs as part of their standard operating and management practices.

• An increase in the knowledge and competency of small public water system operators in their ability to plan for and respond to threats from natural disasters and malevolent acts.

• An increase in the number of small public water systems participating in water system partnerships such as shared treatment and operators, restructuring, consolidation, or other collaboration or partnership actions with other water systems.to address compliance challenges or TMF deficiencies.

• An increased number of small public water systems reducing water loss or achieving cost savings due to adopting managerial/operational actions to improve efficiency such as conducting an energy, water loss, or other audit.

• An increase in the number of communities able to submit applications for federal funding to improve water infrastructure to achieve and maintain compliance over the long term.

• A measurable improvement in financial capabilities, such as the number of small public water systems with improved rate structures and participating in customer assistance programs.

Examples of anticipated outcomes from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement for National Priority Area 2, Training and Technical Assistance for Small Publicly-Owned Wastewater Systems and Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems to Help Improve Water Quality, may include, but are not limited to, the following.

For training and technical assistance for small publicly-owned wastewater systems:

• A measurable improvement in the performance of small publicly-owned wastewater systems that have adopted sustainable management plans.

• An increase in the number of small publicly-owned wastewater systems in compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements or making substantial progress toward compliance as indicated by measured performance, reduced enforcement priority status, or other factors.

• A measurable improvement in the performance of small publicly-owned wastewater systems that improve their energy efficiency or achieve cost savings because of taking efficiency actions after conducting an energy audit.

For training and technical assistance for onsite/decentralized wastewater systems:

• A decreased number of public health-related or public nuisance-related complaints associated with malfunctioning onsite/decentralized wastewater systems.

• A demonstrated increase in the technical competence needed to form responsible management entities (RMEs).

• An increase in system owners, particularly homeowners, engaging in active management of onsite/decentralized wastewater systems.

Examples of anticipated outcomes from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement for National Priority Area 3, Training and Technical Assistance for Private Drinking Water Well Owners to Help Improve Water Quality, may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• An increase in the knowledge of private drinking water well owners in such topics as proper well construction, well operation and maintenance, well testing, relevant state regulations or programs, or ground water protection.

• An increase in the knowledge and understanding of private drinking water well owners regarding options for connecting private wells to public water systems.

• An increase in knowledge and skills to protect private drinking water wells from contamination during emergencies.

• An improvement in the quality and quantity of ground water that supplies private drinking water wells.

B. Program Goals and Objectives The activities to be funded under this funding announcement support Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American of Administrator Zeldin's Five Pillars. All applications must be for projects that support the pillar identified above.

National Priority Areas

National Priority Area 1: Training and Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems to Achieve and Maintain Compliance with the SDWA, including Improving Financial and Managerial Capacity

Under this National Priority Area, the EPA is soliciting applications to provide training and technical assistance for small public water systems to enable such systems to achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and to build their technical, financial, and managerial capabilities to provide safe drinking water over the long term. The ability for small systems to attain and maintain TMF capabilities is critical to ensuring that systems can reliably and sustainably provide safe water to its customers. Refer to the frequently asked questions section available via the competition website for the definition of small public water systems.

Many small public water systems face challenges in reliably providing safe drinking water to their customers and consistently meeting the requirements of the SDWA and the NPDWRs. These challenges include, but are not limited to: (1) lack of adequate revenue or access to financing; (2) aging infrastructure; (3) retirement of experienced system operators and the inability to recruit new operators to replace them; (4) managers and operators who lack the requisite financial, technical, or managerial skills; (5) lack of planning for infrastructure upgrades or the ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters (e.g., floods or tornadoes); (6) lack of planning for cybersecurity upgrades or the ability to respond to and recover from malevolent acts; and 7) lack of understanding of existing or new regulatory requirements and treatment technologies. As a result, some small systems may experience frequent or long-term compliance challenges in reliably providing safe water to their customers, while others may currently be in compliance but lack the technical capability to maintain compliance.

For this National Priority Area, applicants should describe their proposed approach for providing training and technical assistance for personnel who operate or manage small public water systems (including decision makers such as trustees, board members, or system owners).

Applicants should also describe how they intend to strengthen the technical capability of personnel and enable them to comply with the regulatory requirements applicable to their system.

Training and technical assistance may be provided through face-to-face trainings and site visits or through remote learning approaches, taking into consideration the benefits of face-to-face assistance.

This assistance may also include circuit-rider and multi-state regional technical assistance programs and training. Applicants should describe how they will facilitate small public water systems becoming more https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-administrator-lee-zeldin-announces-epas-powering-great-american-comeback https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/training-and-technical-assistance-improve-water-quality-and-enable-small-public-water-0 https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/training-and-technical-assistance-improve-water-quality-and-enable-small-public-water-0 resilient to natural disasters and malevolent acts. Additionally, applicants should describe their proposed approach to help small public water systems build their financial and managerial capability to address current needs and to achieve long-term sustainability.

Technical capability refers to the physical infrastructure of the water system, including, but not limited to, the adequacy of the source water, the adequacy of the system’s infrastructure (i.e., source, treatment, storage, and distribution), the resiliency to natural disasters and malevolent acts, and the ability of system personnel to adequately operate and maintain the system and to apply necessary technical knowledge (e.g., certified operators, water system resiliency and security).

Financial capability refers to the financial resources of the water system, including, but not limited to, revenue sufficiency, user rate-setting, customer water assistance programs, rate collection, creditworthiness, fiscal controls, operational budgeting, and planning. Managerial capability refers to the management structure and practices of the water system, including, but not limited to, ownership accountability, staffing and organization, maintenance programs, and effective linkages and communication with customers and regulatory agencies.

The goals of the training and technical assistance activities under this priority area are to assist small public water systems in achieving and maintaining compliance with the SDWA and the NPDWRs, including newer regulations such as the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, and the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.

Additionally, the training and technical assistance activities should assist with small public water system technical, financial, and managerial capabilities in order to reliably provide safe drinking water over the long term. Applicants may assist communities in participating in targeted compliance initiatives, such as EPA’s PFAS OUTreach initiative (PFAS OUT). This involves assisting drinking water systems with technical, funding, and implementation support to address PFAS contamination, comply with federal standards, and keep their communities safe.

Applicants may also provide training and technical assistance to utilities on customer assistance programs and on how to help qualifying households obtain assistance through customer assistance programs.

Applicants should also describe a process whereby they will consult with the appropriate regulatory authority (such as the state or territorial primacy agency or the EPA regional direct implementation coordinators) for each state, Tribe, or territory in which the assistance is to be expended or otherwise made available prior to providing training and technical assistance in that state, Tribe, or territory. In particular, applicants should indicate how they will coordinate and collaborate with the state, Tribe, territory, or the EPA to identify the systems in greatest need of assistance and identify the training topics of greatest need to the small public water systems;

how they will keep those agencies, the EPA grant project officer, and appropriate regional coordinators informed regarding the assistance provided; and how they will document these results.

Training and technical assistance activities to support development of TMF capabilities may involve assisting system managers, decision makers, and others in understanding sustainable management practices such as asset management, maintenance programs, fiscal planning, rate-setting, workforce recruitment and retention, planning for impacts from natural disasters and malevolent acts, and water system partnership options that are necessary to promote system compliance and sustainability over the long term.

The EPA’s commitment to providing technical assistance supports water systems to identify water challenges, develop plans, enhance TMF capability, and develop application materials to access water infrastructure funding. The following are examples of eligible training and technical assistance activities for small public water systems that support this National Priority Area.

Example activities include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Provide operator training and technical assistance to: (1) comply with NPDWRs (2) assist operators with newer regulations such as the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, and the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (3) improve the knowledge and skill competency of drinking water system personnel in the areas of technical, managerial, and financial capability.

• Provide assistance with identifying funding sources to ensure water systems are able to address public health risks.

The EPA also encourages applicants to propose other types of activities that may achieve the objectives of this National Priority Area. All eligible applications will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section 6, including how well and thoroughly the National Priority Area is addressed.

National Priority Area 2: Training and Technical Assistance for Small Publicly-Owned Wastewater Systems and Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems to Help Improve Water Quality and Sustainable Operations

Under this National Priority Area, the EPA is soliciting applications to provide training and technical assistance to: (a) small publicly-owned wastewater systems; and (b) communities served by onsite/decentralized wastewater systems. Under this priority area, the application must address the two elements further described below. For the purposes of this announcement, “small publicly-owned wastewater systems” are defined as wastewater systems or treatment facilities that have permitted and actual flows of less than 1 million gallons per day (MGD) and are: owned by a public entity (such as a municipality) or not-for-profit entity (such as regional sewer districts), and/or serve Tribal communities (with the exception of systems that are owned by U.S. federal entities). “Onsite/decentralized systems” are defined as: publicly-owned or privately- owned onsite or clustered systems used to collect, treat, and disperse or reclaim wastewater from a small community, Tribe, or service area that are publicly- or privately-owned and/or serve Tribal communities (with the exception of systems that are owned by U.S.

federal entities).

For this National Priority Area, applicants should describe their proposed approach for providing training and technical assistance to small publicly-owned wastewater systems and to communities served by onsite/decentralized wastewater systems as described in the above paragraph. The EPA’s commitment to providing technical assistance supports communities to identify water challenges, develop plans, build TMF capability, and develop application materials to access water infrastructure funding.

Training and technical assistance may be provided through face-to-face trainings and site visits or through remote learning approaches, taking into consideration the benefits of face-to-face assistance. This assistance may also include circuit-rider and multi-state regional technical assistance programs and training. Assistance may include: training on long term sustainability and effectiveness of small systems and decentralized systems, evaluation of treatment and/or infrastructure alternatives, training on preliminary engineering evaluations, assessments of management approaches and their effectiveness, training on improved water and energy efficiency, developing appropriate rate structures, education of local officials, identification of funding alternatives, and/or other activities.

The goals of the training and technical assistance activities are to assist small publicly-owned wastewater systems and onsite/decentralized wastewater systems to improve operational performance and sustainable operations over the long term, thereby improving public health and water quality. Applicants should describe how they will document and report on progress toward meeting these goals. Applicants should also describe a process whereby they will consult with the appropriate regulatory authority (such as the state or territorial primacy agency or the EPA regional direct implementation coordinator) in each state, Tribe, or territory in which the assistance is to be expended or otherwise made available prior to providing training and technical assistance in that state, Tribe, or territory. In particular, applicants should indicate how they will work with the state, territory, or the EPA to identify the systems in greatest need of assistance;

how they will keep those agencies, the EPA grant project officer, and appropriate EPA regional coordinators informed regarding the assistance provided; and how they will document these results.

All eligible applications will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section 6, including how well and thoroughly both elements of this National Priority Area are addressed. Applications for awards under this National Priority Area must address both of the following two elements. Those that do not will be rejected.

Element (a): Training and Technical Assistance for Small Publicly-Owned Wastewater Systems

Small publicly-owned wastewater systems often face many common challenges including: (1) a lack of capability to assess current operations and identify short- and long-term opportunities for improvement; (2) frequent turnover of operations personnel; (3) personnel who lack necessary technical, financial, or managerial skills; (4) limited rate bases; (5) aging infrastructure; (6) lack of knowledge of increasingly stringent discharge limits; and (7) lack of knowledge of newer techniques to reduce discharges, assess and improve operations, and analyze infrastructure alternatives to meet water quality goals.

Training and technical assistance activities for small publicly-owned wastewater systems under this element should focus on compliance, promoting the sustainable and effective management of wastewater systems, and improving system performance. Applicants should describe in detail their approach for training, for example, assisting facility managers, utility boards, and wastewater operators in sustainable utility operations. Topics may include, for example: assessment of the system’s overall strengths and areas for improvement, asset management, energy management, rate design, local decision-makers, effective utility management, and identifying funding sources or other topics that help facilities maintain long-term managerial, financial, and operational success. Applicants should also describe their approach to reaching small publicly-owned wastewater systems, especially small facilities that require additional management capability to effectively improve the long-term sustainability of operations and/or are out of compliance with discharge permits.

Applicants should describe in detail their approach for utilizing and sharing existing information and materials on pollution prevention, facility operation and maintenance, effective utility management, wastewater treatment alternatives, infrastructure funding opportunities, and efficient water use with the facilities being assisted. Applicants should describe in detail an approach for providing onsite training and technical assistance, while also providing products and assistance for a broader (e.g., nationwide) audience. These trainings or technical solutions may use existing materials, including, but not limited to, documents and tools developed by the EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Indian Health Service (IHS), and other federal agencies. Such trainings or technical solutions could then be developed into or incorporated into existing guidebooks or webinars or other on-line training for transfer to small wastewater systems nationwide, or supported as a “train-the-trainer” approach to increase the reach of the materials.

Examples of training and technical assistance activities for small publicly-owned wastewater systems that support this element include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Assist operators to manage small wastewater treatment systems to achieve compliance.

• Perform on-site trainings or technical solutions that focus on improving performance at local facilities (e.g., training on nutrient removal technologies, rate structures, energy efficiency opportunities, and assessments of sustainability and proper management of small publicly-owned wastewater systems).

The EPA also encourages applicants to propose other types of activities that may achieve the objectives of Element (a) of this National Priority Area.

Element (b): Training and Technical Assistance for Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems

Onsite/decentralized systems face significant maintenance and management challenges, including: (1) lack of information on system location, performance, age, and maintenance history;

(2) improper design or siting; (3) lack of owner knowledge of proper preventative maintenance techniques; (4) lack of life-cycle management; and (5) lack of owner/service provider knowledge of advanced treatment and dispersal technologies.

Under this element, applicants should describe in detail their approach to providing training and technical assistance on aspects of decentralized system…