wqiprfa2026.pdf

Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP)

2026 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

AT LEAST $75 MILLION AVAILABLE

Kathy Hochul, Governor | Amanda Lefton, Commissioner

Available through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA):

https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/index.cfm

Applications Due: 4:00pm ET, July 31, 2026

Application Period Opens: June 1, 2026 Webinar: June 8, 2026 Question & Answer Period Ends: July 10, 2026 Applications Due: July 31, 2026 Award(s) Announced By (anticipated): December 2026

Contact: dowgrants@dec.ny.gov

(518) 402-8179 https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/index.cfm mailto:dowgrants@dec.ny.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GRANT DESCRIPTION 3

FUNDING AVAILABLE 3

PROPOSED PROJECT TIMEFRAMES 3

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD 3

APPLICATION LIMITS 3

MATCH REQUIREMENT AND EXPENDITURES 4

PROJECT TYPES SUMMARY TABLE 5

APPLICATION EVALUATION 9

FLOOD RESILIENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PROJECT TYPES 10

CLIMATE RESILIENCY CRITERIA 11

PROJECTS AFFECTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES 12

APPLICATION RESOURCES FOR ALL PROJECT TYPES 13

WASTEWATER TREATMENT IMPROVEMENT 14

WASTEWATER TREATMENT IMPROVEMENT SCORING CRITERIA 20

NON-AGRICULTURAL NONPOINT SOURCE ABATEMENT AND CONTROL 27

NONPOINT SOURCE PROJECT SCORING CRITERIA 42

NONPOINT SOURCE PROGRAM SCORING CRITERIA 52

VACUUM TRUCKS IN MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) AREAS 58

VACUUM TRUCK FOR MS4 AREAS SCORING CRITERIA 62

LAND ACQUISITION FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION 65

LAND ACQUISITION FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROJECT SCORING CRITERIA 75

LAND ACQUISITION FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM SCORING CRITERIA 81

SALT STORAGE AND ROAD SALT REDUCTION 86

SALT STORAGE SCORING CRITERIA 91

ROAD SALT REDUCTION SCORING CRITERIA 95

DAM SAFETY REPAIR/REHABILITATION AND DAM REMOVAL 99

DAM SAFETY REPAIR/REHABILITATION AND DAM REMOVAL SCORING CRITERIA 103

AQUATIC CONNECTIVITY 106

AQUATIC CONNECTIVITY SCORING CRITERIA 112

MARINE DISTRICT HABITAT RESTORATION 115

MARINE DISTRICT HABITAT RESTORATION SCORING CRITERIA 119

FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT 122

FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT SCORING CRITERIA 127

LANDFILL LEACHATE TREATMENT 131

LANDFILL LEACHATE TREATMENT SCORING CRITERIA 134

GRANT OPPORTUNITY GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS 138

WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU RECEIVE AN AWARD 146

GRANT OPPORTUNITY PAYMENT AND REPORTING CONDITIONS 151

ATTACHMENT A: LIST OF MUNICIPALITIES THAT CONTAIN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY (DAC)

POPULATIONS 155

GRANT DESCRIPTION

The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program open to local governments and not-for-profit corporations to implement projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. This funding is for construction/implementation projects, not projects that are exclusively for planning.

It is highly recommended that all potential WQIP applicants read the WQIP Program Overview, particularly the section for their project type, in its entirety before applying for WQIP funding.

FUNDING AVAILABLE

At least $75 million of funding is available for WQIP. Funding for this grant opportunity may be provided by a combination of the Environmental Protection Fund, Clean Water Infrastructure Act, 2022 Clean Air, Clean Water, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, Long Island Sound Study Program (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), and Lake Champlain Basin Program (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

PROPOSED PROJECT TIMEFRAMES

All projects must have defined objectives, tasks, and deliverables accounted for in performance measures that can be completed and invoiced within a five-year contract period/term. All project types will have a term of June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2031.

Costs outside of the contract period/term are ineligible. The State of New York Contract For Grants must be fully approved by DEC, and if applicable, approved by the Attorney General and the State Comptroller. Time extensions beyond the contract term end date will be determined by DEC based upon written justification from the applicant.

Applicants should not submit an application if they do not anticipate their project can be completed within the specified contract term.

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

For grant-specific questions, contact the Division of Water Grants Team at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Water (DOW), 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233, 518-402-8179 or dowgrants@dec.ny.gov. The question-and-answer period will run from the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) opening date of June 1, 2026 through July 10, 2026. Questions and answers will be posted to https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/grant-applications/wqip-program.

APPLICATION LIMITS

• Applicants may only apply for one project type per individual application;

• Only one application may be submitted per project per round;

• Applicants are limited to five applications per round;

• Applicants that have received funding in a previous round will not receive additional funding in this or a future round for the same or partially overlapping scope of work.

However, the WQIP program will fund distinct phases or different activities and costs https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/grant-applications/wqip-program of a project in consecutive rounds of funding if the applicant sufficiently describes how the planned scope of work is distinctly different from the previous.

MATCH REQUIREMENT AND EXPENDITURES

• Grant funds are available for up to 75% of the application budget. Applicants must provide the remaining 25% in match funds. Additional information regarding eligible forms of match (eligible costs) is provided under each project type.

• Match for WQIP is a percentage of the award amount, not the total project cost.

• Match is the portion of project expenditures not paid for with grant funds. Match can be from local, in-kind contributions, or federal grants/funding. Ineligible match sources include state grants/funding, except for loans that will be repaid (e.g., State Revolving Fund loans). Applicants using federal match funds for projects are eligible to apply and inclusion of these match funds will not preclude an application. However, if DEC awards a project using federal funding within the Long Island Sound1 or Lake Champlain2 watersheds, that project may not use match from federal sources.

• Local sources can include funding from other non-state and/or non-federal grant sources or from project partners. In-Kind contributions are non-cash donations provided by non-state and/or non-federal third parties, which can include equipment, supplies, services, and other expendable property. Matching share contributions must support the objectives outlined in the work plan.

• Only eligible costs/activities may be used for match.

• Applications that do not show sufficient match will have their potential award amounts decreased accordingly.

Match Formula: Requested Award Amount x Required Match Percentage = Required Match Amount

Match Calculation Example:

Project type: Priority wastewater treatment improvement

Required match percentage: 25% of award amount Requested award amount: $1,000,000

$1,000,000 x 0.25 = $250,000 Applicant is required to provide match of $250,000

Total costs to show in WQIP budget: $1,000,000 + $250,000 = $1,250,000

1 Long Island Sound watershed map: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/oceans-estuaries/long-island-watershed-program 2 Lake Champlain Watershed map:

https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=06f793fcd76540e49f0f48c0123d309b https://dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/oceans-estuaries/long-island-watershed-program https://dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/oceans-estuaries/long-island-watershed-program https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=06f793fcd76540e49f0f48c0123d309b

PROJECT TYPES SUMMARY TABLE

Funding is available for the following project types (see project type sections for all information):

Project Type Maximum Award

Required Match

Eligible Applicants3 Required Attachments

Wastewater Treatment Improvement

$1,000,000 to $15,000,000 depending on project subtype and population

25% of award amount

Municipalities Engineering Report

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map

Floodplain Map

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

Non- Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control

$100,000 to $10,000,000 depending on project subtype and population

25% of award amount

Municipalities

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Best Management Practice Detail Form

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map

Floodplain Map (for certain project types)

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

See Nonpoint Source section for attachments required for certain project subtypes

3 The applicant’s name must exactly match the name of the eligible entity registered in the NYS Statewide Financial System Grants Management System in order to execute a contract. It may not be the name of an individual.

Project Type Maximum Award

Required Match

Eligible Applicants3 Required Attachments

Vacuum Trucks in Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Areas

$400,000 25% of award amount

Municipalities Regulated by the MS4 General Permit

Soil and Water Conservation Districts on behalf of regulated

MS4

Operators

Comprehensive Mapping Worksheet(s)

Catch Basin Clean-out Plan and Procedures

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map

Floodplain Map

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection

$5,000,000 25% of award amount

Municipalities

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

501(c)(3) Not-for-profit corporations

Monitoring and Enforcement Protocol

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map (see Land Acquisition section for detail on specific map requirements)

Floodplain Map (required for projects only)

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

Fiscal reports (programs only, if grant funds will be used for personal services)

Required Match

Eligible Applicants3 Required Attachments

Salt Storage and Road Salt Reduction

$400,000 to $600,000 depending on project subtype

25% of award amount

Municipalities

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map (see Salt Storage section for detail on specific map requirements)

Floodplain Map

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

Public highway lane and water resource map (Road Salt Reduction Practices only)

Dam Safety Repair/ Rehabilitation and Dam Removal

$1,000,000 to $2,500,000 depending on project subtype

25% of award amount

Municipalities

501(c)(3) Not-for-profit corporations

Engineering Report

Annual Certification

Emergency Action Plan

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map

Floodplain Map

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

Dam owner agreement (if applicable)

Required Match

Eligible Applicants3 Required Attachments

Aquatic Connectivity

$2,000,000 25% of award amount

Municipalities

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

501(c)(3) Not-for-profit corporations

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map

Floodplain Map

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

See Aquatic Connectivity section for attachments required for certain project subtypes

Marine District Habitat Restoration

$2,000,000 25% of award amount

Municipalities

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

501(c)(3) Not-for-profit corporations

Feasibility Study

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map

Floodplain Map

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

Landowner agreement (if applicable)

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Enhancement

$2,000,000 25% of award amount

Municipalities

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

501(c)(3) Not-for-profit corporations

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map

Floodplain Map

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

Required Match

Eligible Applicants3 Required Attachments

Landfill Leachate Treatment

$10,000,000 25% of award amount

Municipalities Engineering Report

WQIP Budget Worksheet

Project Map

Floodplain Map

Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form

Executive Order 16 Form

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form

APPLICATION EVALUATION

All applications will be reviewed and scored by a review team in accordance with the evaluation and scoring criteria contained in this RFA. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read and address the Scoring Criteria for the project type in the process of developing an application. Knowledge of the scoring criteria is valuable for designing and proposing a relevant and quality project. Evaluation consists of the following steps:

STEP 1: APPLICATION AND PROJECT ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION

(PASS/FAIL CRITERIA)

Applications are evaluated for eligibility against the following criteria:

• Projects or programs must improve water quality, habitat, mitigate flooding risk, protect a drinking water source, or improve safety of a dam4;

• Projects must be for implementation; projects only seeking funds for studies, planning, or design will be deemed ineligible;

• Applicant must be an eligible applicant type (view each individual project type section to identify eligible applicants);

• Projects must be for an eligible project type;

• Applicants should not apply for both WQIP and the Non-agricultural Nonpoint

Source and MS4 Planning Grant (NPG) for the same project. Applicants that apply for both grants for the same project will be deemed ineligible for WQIP but may still be considered under NPG;

• Applications must include all required attachments at the time of submission within the CFA system (view specific sections for each individual project type for a full list of required attachments). Attachments will not be accepted outside of the CFA system;

• Projects must meet the requirements for that project type and/or subtype;

4 As defined in the scoring criteria for each project type.

• Applicants must submit the current WQIP Budget Worksheet; applications that attach an outdated version of the budget worksheet will be deemed ineligible;

• Application budgets must show match and an eligible match source; applications that do not show match or only use ineligible match sources will be deemed ineligible;

• Applications must be seeking funds for costs incurred after June 1, 2026;

• Applications must meet the floodplain map requirements, as detailed in the flood resiliency requirements section below;

• Duplicate applications will be reviewed based on submission timestamp. The application with the latest timestamp will be reviewed and all other duplicate applications will be deemed ineligible;

• Projects that have received funding in a previous round for the same or partially overlapping scope of work will be deemed ineligible. Phased projects may be considered, provided that the applicant sufficiently describes how the planned scope of work is distinctly different from the previous phase of the project.

Applications that do not sufficiently describe how the planned scope of work is distinctly different from the previous phase of the project will be deemed ineligible.

• Applicants and applications must meet all applicable eligibility criteria included in the Program Overview.

STEP 2: APPLICATION SCORING

If your application meets all eligibility pass/fail criteria, it will be further evaluated and scored by a review team in accordance with the Scoring Criteria contained in this RFA.

All eligible applications will be individually evaluated by multiple review team members.

Applications that fail to meet the minimum scoring criteria as detailed for each project type in this Program Overview will be deemed ineligible. An application must receive a score of at least 40 to be eligible for funding. In addition, applications that receive zero points in certain scoring criteria as indicated in the Scoring Criteria table for that project type may also be deemed ineligible.

FLOOD RESILIENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PROJECT TYPES

DEC is committed to improving community resiliency to extreme weather events that result in flooding. Projects that promote flood risk reduction and enhanced flood resiliency, or both, will receive points in the evaluation of an application where indicated.

The following application eligibility requirements apply to all project types except:

• Nonpoint Source In-Waterbody Controls for Nutrients

• Nonpoint Source Bathing Beach Restoration

• Nonpoint Source Programs, including Nonpoint Source Road Ditch Stabilization program, Septic Tank Pumpout Program or Rain Garden/Rain Barrel Programs

• Land Acquisition Programs

Eligibility Requirements: If the project is wholly or partially within a 0.2% (500 year) or 1% (100 year) annual chance of occurrence floodplain5 submit with the application a floodplain map with the location of the project indicated. Floodplain maps cannot be imbedded within another required attachment.

If a floodplain map is not provided with the application or does not clearly depict the project location in relation to the floodplain or if not enough information is provided in the application to determine that the work proposed is occurring outside of the floodplain, DEC reserves the right to deem the application ineligible. If the project is awarded funding and is within a 0.2% or 1% floodplain, the following must be included in the planning and design of the project, if applicable:

• A site plan with the contours indicating the Special Flood Hazard Area (1% floodplain), Coastal High Hazard Area, or 0.2% floodplain

• Location of and elevation of non-critical and critical equipment

• Certification of floodproofing

• A floodway analysis with a no-rise certificate if the project is within a regulated floodway

• Projects that occur in the regulatory floodway may require a hydrological and hydraulic (H&H) analysis conducted by a New York State licensed Professional Engineer demonstrating the proposed project will have 0.00 feet of rise in the base flood elevation when comparing pre- and post-project conditions. 6 If the rise cannot be mitigated, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) or Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) would be required.

• Fulfillment of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program Special Flood Hazard Area process requirements, where applicable (https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/dam-safety-coastal-flood-protection/floodplain-management).

Guidance and information for meeting this requirement is on DEC’s WQIP webpage:

https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/grant-applications/wqip-program.

CLIMATE RESILIENCY CRITERIA

DEC is committed to combatting climate change and mitigating its impacts that are being felt across New York State. Projects in municipalities that are proactively addressing climate change resilience and adaptation, will receive points in the evaluation of an application where indicated.

To qualify for climate resilience points, the project must be: within or serving a certified silver or bronze Climate Smart Community (CSC) or a CSC-registered community that has completed specific actions identified for the project type being applied; or for wastewater treatment improvement projects, the project may receive points if it includes

5 Floodplain map resources: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps 6 Floodplain Development and Floodway Guidance: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/dam-safety-coastal-flood-protection/floodplain-management https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/dam-safety-coastal-flood-protection/floodplain-management https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/dam-safety-coastal-flood-protection/floodplain-management https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/grant-applications/wqip-program https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/dam-safety-coastal-flood-protection/floodplain-management https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/dam-safety-coastal-flood-protection/floodplain-management assets identified in an asset management program for Publicly Owned Treatment Works that was developed in accordance with DEC’s Asset Management Guide.7

PROJECTS AFFECTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND

DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES

DEC is committed to underserved and vulnerable populations, and providing remedies for communities that may be burdened by negative environmental consequences.

Environmental Justice (EJ) is defined by DEC as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Potential EJ Areas (PEJA) are U.S. Census block groups of 250 to 500 households each that, in the Census, had populations that met or exceeded at least one of the following statistical thresholds: at least 52.42% of the population in an urban area reported themselves to be members of minority groups; or at least 26.28% of the population in a rural area reported themselves to be members of minority groups; or at least 22.82% of the population in an urban or rural area had household incomes below the federal poverty level. Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) are identified by New York’s Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG) using indicators that include climate-related risks, environmental burdens, health vulnerabilities, and socio-economic factors.

Projects that will improve water quality or habitat within a PEJA or DAC, projects within the HUC 10 watershed of a drinking water source that will improve drinking water quality serving a PEJA or DAC, projects that are within the HUC 10 area and upstream8 of a PEJA or DAC and applicant has provided sufficient justification to show a positive impact to water quality in a PEJA or DAC, or projects that protect PEJA or DAC that are within a dam failure inundation area, will receive “PEJA and DAC Benefits” points in the evaluation of an application where indicated. Additionally, applicants that are municipalities with a DAC population will receive “Disadvantaged Communities” points based on the concentration of the DAC population served, in the evaluation of an application where indicated.

Maps of PEJA and DAC areas in New York State are available at:

https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/environmental-justice/gis-tools and https://climate.ny.gov/resources/disadvantaged-communities-criteria/, respectively.

To qualify for “PEJA and DAC Benefits” points, your application must include a DEC PEJA and/or DAC map and a summary narrative referencing that map, along with details demonstrating water quality or habitat improvement to a PEJA or DAC or to drinking water serving a PEJA or DAC, or protection of a PEJA or DAC area within a dam failure inundation area, i.e., where the benefit will be provided, or the area served

7 Asset Management Resources: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/wastewater-treatment-resources.

8 Upstream is defined as in the opposite direction from that in which a waterbody flows based on USGS River Flow Direction Map:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=30859c5ba802474d92e69e1d0e0b972d https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/environmental-justice/gis-tools https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/environmental-justice/gis-tools https://climate.ny.gov/resources/disadvantaged-communities-criteria/ https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/wastewater-treatment-resources https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/wastewater-treatment-resources https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=30859c5ba802474d92e69e1d0e0b972d by the drinking water source, or the exact street location(s) where the project is to be implemented.

APPLICATION RESOURCES FOR ALL PROJECT TYPES

• Budget Tutorial for WQIP Grant Applications:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDW6EkYJSJs

• DECinfo Locator 9 (most up to date source of WI/PWL segment fact sheets):

https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/

• Flood Resiliency Requirements for WQIP and NPG Grant Applications Mapping

Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=mRT4wR9QKSHPEHPG&v=MZne-tThzYI&feature=youtu.be

• Floodplain Map Instructional Guide: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024- 06/floodplainmapinstructions.pdf

• HUC 12 watersheds map:

https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a02867dc903 f40a2831c904c7eb1b7d8

• Potential Environmental Justice Area and Disadvantaged Community Mapping Tutorial for WQIP and NPG Applications:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=yfT2_a6gR89LyYbk&v=D4z-qUpOJh0&feature=youtu.be

• How to identify and create a map of Potential Environmental Justice Areas and Disadvantaged Communities:

https://dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/wqip23dacmapinst.pdf

• Maps of PEJA areas in New York State: https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/environmental-justice/gis-tools.

• Maps of DAC areas in New York State:

https://climate.ny.gov/resources/disadvantaged-communities-criteria/

9 For projects impacting surface water, the applicant must provide the correct WI/PWL segment ID and HUC 12 watershed of the closest waterbody the project will impact. To find the closest WI/PWL segment fact sheet, visit the DECinfo Locator at https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/. In the left column of the map, click “DEC Information Layers”>”Environmental Quality”>”Environmental Monitoring” and check the box for “Waterbody Inventory/Priority Waterbodies List”. In the left column, select “Search” and enter the address or project location. Click the plus sign in the top left corner of the map to zoom into the location until the waterbodies are visible on the map. Click on the waterbody of interest. A box with the Waterbody Inventory/Priority Waterbodies List information will be displayed, including the waterbody name, segment ID, basin, and description. To access the WI/PWL assessment for that waterbody, click the “Waterbody Assessment Fact Sheet” link in the box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDW6EkYJSJs https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=mRT4wR9QKSHPEHPG&v=MZne-tThzYI&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=mRT4wR9QKSHPEHPG&v=MZne-tThzYI&feature=youtu.be https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/floodplainmapinstructions.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/floodplainmapinstructions.pdf https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a02867dc903f40a2831c904c7eb1b7d8 https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a02867dc903f40a2831c904c7eb1b7d8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=yfT2_a6gR89LyYbk&v=D4z-qUpOJh0&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=yfT2_a6gR89LyYbk&v=D4z-qUpOJh0&feature=youtu.be https://dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/wqip23dacmapinst.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/environmental-justice/gis-tools https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/environmental-justice/gis-tools https://climate.ny.gov/resources/disadvantaged-communities-criteria/ https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/

WASTEWATER TREATMENT IMPROVEMENT

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

• Municipalities,10 including Indian Nations

PROJECT TYPE DESCRIPTION

Funding is available for wastewater treatment improvements to municipal wastewater systems.

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS FOR ALL WASTEWATER

APPLICATIONS

• Engineering report prepared, stamped, signed, and dated by a New York State licensed Professional Engineer. Feasibility reports and engineering plans not accompanied by engineering reports do not fulfill the engineering report requirement. Addendums to engineering reports or response memos to DEC comments will not be accepted without the full engineering report. DEC requires engineering reports follow the Engineering Report Outline for New York State Wastewater Infrastructure Projects (see resources list below) and is recommended that the report be approved by DEC/accepted by EFC prior to application submission.

• Completed WQIP Budget Worksheet11

• Project map uploaded as a separate file. Project maps cannot be imbedded within another attachment. Map must be a 1:24,000 scale USGS or DOT planimetric map, or equivalent to such maps.

• If the project is wholly or partially in a floodplain, attach the applicable floodplain map with the location of the project indicated.

Floodplain maps cannot be imbedded within another required attachment. Refer to the Flood Resiliency Requirements of this

RFA.

• Completed, signed, and dated (must be dated on or after May 18, 2026) Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form12

• Completed, signed, and dated (must be dated on or after May 18, 2026) Executive Order No. 16 Certification Form13

10 For the purposes of Wastewater Treatment Improvement projects under this grant opportunity, “Municipality” means a local public authority or public benefit corporation, a county, city, town, village, school district, supervisory district, district corporation, improvement district within a county, city, town or village, or Indian nation or tribe recognized by the state or the United States with a reservation wholly or partly within the boundaries of New York State, or any combination thereof (Environmental Conservation Law §56-0101).

11 WQIP Budget Worksheet: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/wqip24budget.pdf 12 Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification Form: https://dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/wqipshcert.pdf 13 Executive Order No. 16 Certification Form: https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/eo16certification.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/wqip24budget.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/wqipshcert.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/eo16certification.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/wqip24budget.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/wqipshcert.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/eo16certification.pdf

2026) Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form14

• All required attachments must be complete and are due at the time of application through the CFA system. Attachments will not be accepted after the application deadline or outside of the CFA system.

INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES/APPLICATIONS

• Applications that do not include required attachments with the application

• Applications for non-municipal systems

• Projects also being funded through the State Septic System Replacement Fund

• Applications for planning, design, or to create a study

PROJECT SUBTYPES AND REQUIREMENTS

• See special requirements column in below table for additional required attachments for specific project subtypes.

• All priority projects may be funded before general wastewater projects. At least 10% of the available funding for wastewater treatment improvement projects may be allocated for general projects.

• DEC reserves the right to fund one project from each primary, secondary, and tertiary priority category and the general wastewater category scoring 70 or above before awarding additional primary, secondary, and tertiary priority and general wastewater projects.

• DEC reserves the right to fund one application per municipality from each primary, secondary, and tertiary priority category scoring 70 or above before awarding additional primary, secondary, and tertiary priority wastewater projects.

• DEC reserves the right to fund all primary priority wastewater effluent disinfection projects and watershed plan implementation of phosphorus reduction projects scoring 70 or above before awarding any other wastewater improvement project.

DEC anticipates removing the disinfection primary priority in future years.

• DEC reserves the right to allocate at least 10% of the available funding for wastewater treatment improvement projects to applications for municipal systems with a wastewater flow of 200,000 gallons per day or less or services a population of 10,000 people or less.

• Projects that apply for a primary, secondary, or tertiary priority category but do not meet all requirements will be scored as a general wastewater project.

14 Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification Form: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026- 03/attachg_genderbasedviolenceform.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/attachg_genderbasedviolenceform.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/attachg_genderbasedviolenceform.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/attachg_genderbasedviolenceform.pdf

Project Subtype Description Maximum

Required Match

Special Requirements

Primary Priority Wastewater Effluent Disinfection

Projects to add effluent disinfection and associated backup power to facilities that do not currently disinfect or projects that achieve new disinfection requirements using other system modifications.

$1,000,000 25% of award amount

Applicants must have been notified by DEC via letter or modified permit that their treatment system requires an upgrade to add effluent disinfection.

Only work associated with effluent disinfection and associated backup power will be reimbursed.

Watershed Plan Implementation of Phosphorus Reduction

Projects to upgrade municipal systems to meet a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan’s (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed plan, DEC Action Agenda or DEC HABs Action Plan) phosphorus requirements.

$10,000,000 25% of award amount

Project must reduce phosphorus as a pollutant of concern identified in a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed Plan, DEC Action Agenda or DEC HABs Action Plan).

Secondary Priorities Watershed Plan Implementation

Projects to upgrade municipal systems to meet a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan’s (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed plan, DEC Action Agenda or DEC HABs Action Plan) nutrient requirements, for pollutants other than phosphorus.

$10,000,000 25% of award amount

Project must reduce a nutrient pollutant(s) of concern, other than phosphorus, identified in a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed Plan, DEC Action Agenda or DEC HABs Action Plan).

Required Match

Special Requirements

Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) / Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO)

Projects to upgrade municipal systems to meet CSO or SSO discharge requirements, including repairs to private laterals attached to the collection system.

$10,000,000 / $15,000,000* *Only projects in communities serving populations over 3,000,000 are eligible for funding up to $15,000,000.

The maximum award amount for all other projects in this category is $10,000,000.

25% of award amount

CSO projects must be identified under an approved long-term control plan (LTCP) or identified as a CSO overflow reduction project in a permit or Order on Consent.

SSO projects must be identified for overflow reductions in a DEC-approved capacity, management, operation and maintenance (CMOM) program, DEC-approved sanitary sewer evaluation survey (SSES) plan, DEC-approved corrective action plan (CAP) or Order on Consent.

Tertiary Priority

Required Match

Special Requirements

Municipal Systems to Serve Multiple Properties with Inadequate On-site Septic Systems

Projects to construct municipal systems to serve multiple properties with inadequate on-site septic systems.

$10,000,000

25% of award amount

Project must reduce nutrients or fecal indicator bacteria documented in the WI/PWL segment factsheet as causing the nearest waterbody’s best use(s) to be assessed as “impaired” or “precluded” or a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed Plan or HABs Action Plan) or the need for the project must be documented in a completed and acceptable sanitary survey documenting failing septic systems or a final Drinking Water Source Protection Plan.

If awarded, a sewer district must be formed within 2 years of date of award. No funding will be disbursed until sewer district is formed.

General Wastewater Projects Other Wastewater Treatment Improvements

All other wastewater projects

$10,000,000 25% of amount

ELIGIBLE COSTS

• Salary and fringe benefits

• Contractual costs (construction, equipment, supplies/materials)

• Equipment

• Construction inspection (on-site activities typically performed by a New York State licensed Professional Engineer, e.g., inspection of methods and materials).

Total may not exceed 10% of award amount.

• Administrative costs directly related to implementing the project15

• Reasonable contingency costs may be included in the budget estimate for the eligible costs listed above and must specify which eligible cost to which the contingency is attributed. Contingency costs cannot be listed as a separate line item in the WQIP Budget Worksheet.

INELIGIBLE COSTS

Applications that include any of the following ineligible costs in their budget form attachment will receive a reduced score in the Reasonableness of Cost category.

• Planning, design, specification, and engineering costs

• Construction oversight (e.g., resident inspection, monitoring the schedule and budget, contract performance and quality control)

• Contingency costs listed as a line item in the budget or contingency costs not specifically attributed to an eligible cost in the budget

• Non-construction costs incurred during the construction phase, including traffic control

• Indirect costs (e.g., travel, space/property rent, utilities, office supplies)

• Administrative costs not directly related to implementing the project16

• Legal fees

• Costs associated with establishing a sewer district

• Pre- and post-construction monitoring and sampling

• Costs incurred outside the start and end date of the contract (no earlier than May

18, 2026)

• Contingency costs listed as a line item in the budget or contingency costs not specifically attributed to an eligible cost in the budget

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR WASTEWATER APPLICATIONS

• Engineering Report Outline for New York State Wastewater Infrastructure

Projects: https://efc.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/01/er-outline-ffy2026-rev-1a_clean_2026-01-1495.pdf

15 The following are examples of eligible administrative costs: Procuring sub-contractors and materials needed to implement the project; contacting municipalities to schedule projects; and reviewing and paying invoices for materials and sub-contractors associated with the project.

16 The following are examples of ineligible administrative costs: preparing, completing, submitting the WQIP application for funding; preparing, completing, submitting information and documents needed to get a contract in place; preparing, completing, submitting information for progress reporting, payment requests and contract amendments; preparing, completing, and submitting environmental regulatory approvals/permits needed to implement the project.

https://efc.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/01/er-outline-ffy2026-rev-1a_clean_2026-01-1495.pdf

WASTEWATER TREATMENT IMPROVEMENT SCORING CRITERIA

Agency Points Up to 115 points are available, as defined below. Applications must receive a minimum of 40 points to be eligible for funding. Applications that receive 0 points for Reasonableness of Cost, Project Readiness, or Experience and Ability will not be funded.

Performance Measures

40 to 5 points possible. Applicants are scored in one project type.

Wastewater Effluent Disinfection

40 POINTS:

Wastewater effluent disinfection projects for facilities that currently do not disinfect their effluent and are designed to meet requirements in a finalized Order on Consent schedule of compliance or other notification from DEC of disinfection requirement.

Wastewater Effluent Disinfection projects that do not meet the 40 points will be scored as a General Wastewater Project. See criteria below.

Watershed Plan Implementation for Phosphorus Reduction

40 POINTS:

Wastewater treatment projects that are designed to meet phosphorus requirements in a finalized Order on Consent schedule of compliance or a finalized schedule of compliance associated with the facility’s SPDES permit

AND

are watershed plan implementation projects that specifically reduce phosphorus discharge identified in a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed Plan, DEC HABs Action Plan or DEC Action Agenda).

30 POINTS:

Watershed plan implementation projects that specifically reduce phosphorus discharge identified in a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed Plan, DEC HABs Action Plan or DEC Action Agenda).

Watershed Implementation Plan for Phosphorus Reduction projects that do not meet at least 30 points will be scored as a General Wastewater Project. See criteria below.

Watershed Plan Implementation

30 POINTS:

Wastewater treatment projects that are designed to meet nutrient requirements in a finalized Order on Consent schedule of compliance or a finalized schedule of compliance associated with the facility’s SPDES permit

AND

are watershed implementation plan projects that specifically reduce nutrient discharge other than phosphorus identified in a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed Plan, DEC HABs Action Plan or DEC Action Agenda).

20 POINTS:

Watershed plan implementation projects that specifically reduce nutrient discharge other than phosphorus identified in a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed Plan, DEC HABs Action Plan or DEC Action Agenda).

Watershed Implementation Plan projects that do not meet at least 20 points will be scored as a General Wastewater Project. See criteria below.

Combined Sewer Overflow

(CSO)

30 POINTS:

CSO projects specifically identified under an approved Long Term Control Plan (LTCP).

20 POINTS:

CSO projects that are identified as a CSO overflow reduction project in a permit or Order on Consent or projects that are not specifically identified in a LTCP but are being implemented with the identified objective of reducing CSOs in a receiving collection system to meet a permit or Order on Consent.

CSO projects that do not meet at least 20 points will be scored as a General Wastewater Project. See

Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO)

30 POINTS:

SSO projects that are designed to meet requirements in a finalized Order on Consent schedule of compliance or a finalized schedule of compliance associated with the

20 POINTS:

SSO projects that would contribute to overflow reductions identified in a DEC-approved CMOM program, a DEC-approved SSES plan, or a DEC-approved CAP.

SSO projects that do not meet at least 20 points will be scored as a General Wastewater Project. See

17 An acceptable sanitary survey must be prepared by a New York State license Professional Engineer, document the existing condition of the septic systems in a measurable way, and include any recent information available on the direct impact the failing systems have on nearby waterbodies or drinking water sources. An example includes fecal coliform sampling of nearby water wells or waterbody(ies).

facility’s SPDES permit

AND

are specifically listed in a capacity, management, operation and maintenance (CMOM) program, a DEC-approved sanitary sewer evaluation survey (SSES) plan, corrective action plan (CAP) or listed in an Order on Consent.

Municipal Systems to Serve Multiple Properties with Inadequate On-site Septic

20 POINTS:

Municipal systems to serve multiple properties with inadequate on-site septic systems that will reduce nutrients or fecal indicator bacteria documented in the WI/PWL segment factsheet as causing the waterbody’s best use(s) to be assessed as “impaired” or “precluded”

OR

that are listed in a DEC-approved watershed implementation plan (i.e., TMDL, Nine Element Watershed Plan, DEC Action Agenda, or DEC HABs Action Plan)

OR

Have a completed and acceptable sanitary survey 17

OR

Municipal systems

Municipal Systems to Serve Multiple Properties with Inadequate On-site Septic Systems projects that do not meet at least 20 points will be scored as a General Wastewater Project.

See criteria below.

to serve multiple properties with inadequate on-site septic systems where at least 50% of the project area is within the critical area identified in a

DEC/DOH

reviewed and accepted Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) Plan and replacing onsite septic systems is identified as a priority implementation action.

General Wastewater Treatment Projects

10 POINTS:

Projects that are in a schedule of compliance for an Order on Consent or SPDES permit but are not a WQIP high priority project

OR

Projects that will reduce CSOs but do not meet the CSO priority project performance measures

OR

Projects that will reduce SSOs but are not specifically listed in the applicable DEC-approved CMOM program, a DEC-approved SSES plan, DEC-approved CAP, or listed in an Order on Consent.

OR

Projects that reduce the discharge of a

5 POINTS:

All other projects that are necessary to preserve or protect a surface waterbody.

pollutant documented in the WI/PWL segment factsheet as the pollutant causing the waterbody’s best use(s) to be assessed as “impaired“ or “precluded”.

OR

Projects that are located in the

HUC 12

watershed of Class A or AA waterbodies with active public water supplies, that reduce the discharge of a pollutant documented in the WI/PWL segment factsheet as the pollutant causing the waterbody’s best use of source of water supply to be assessed as “stressed” or “threatened”.

Classification Points Factor

5 to 2 points possible (all project types)

5 POINTS:

AA, A, A-special, AA-special, AA (T), A(T), A(TS), B, B(T), B(TS), SA, SB, C(T), C(TS), GA (primary water supply aquifer)

2 POINTS:

C, SC, I, D, SD, GSA, GSB

Reasonableness of Cost

25 to 0 points possible (all project types)

25 POINTS:

Exceptional value for the cost as it applies to both achieving the project objectives and being a fiscally sound project.

WQIP budget includes no ineligible activities.

15 POINTS:

Cost is good as it applies to both achieving the project objectives and being a fiscally sound project.

10 POINTS:

Cost is reasonable as it applies to both achieving the project objectives and being a fiscally sound project.

5 POINTS:

Budget is missing some detail but provides reasonable value for the cost as it applies to achieving project objectives.

0 POINTS:

Budget is not completed and/or costs are not justified and/or project costs do not provide a reasonable value as it applies to achieving project objectives.

Applications that fall into this category will not be funded.

Project Readiness

10 POINTS: 5 POINTS: 2 POINTS: 0 POINTS:

18 See Attachment A for specific information the Department has compiled, and is providing, for applicants to identify the percent of DAC populations within NYS municipalities. Additional information on the population and environmental characteristics of DAC areas can be found here: https://climate.ny.gov/Resources/Disadvantaged- Communities-Criteria

10 to 0 points possible (all project types)

Project has all necessary permits (or does not need permits).

The project is ready to move forward with construction.

Project is not ready to proceed with construction but has some of the necessary approvals and is expected to begin construction within two years.

Project is expected to be completed within five years.

Project has none of the necessary approvals and is not expected to be completed within five years.

Applications that fall into this category will not be funded.

Experience and Ability

5 to 0 points possible (all project types)

5 POINTS:

Applicant has shown the ability to complete state-funded wastewater treatment projects (including the Engineering Planning Grant (EPG)) in the past 10 years in a timely manner.

OR

Applicant has sufficiently shown the ability to complete this wastewater project based upon experience with similar wastewater projects in the past 10 years.

3 POINTS:

Applicant has shown the ability to complete a state-funded water quality project that was not related to wastewater treatment in the past 10 years in a timely manner.

OR

Applicant has not been awarded a state grant related to water quality in the past 10 years but appears to have the experience and ability to carry out the project.

0 POINTS:

Applicant has demonstrated poor management of WQIP and/or EPG contract(s) in the past 10 years.

OR

Applicant has not been awarded a WQIP or EPG grant in the past 10 years and does not appear to have the experience and ability to carry out the project.

Applications that fall into this category will not be funded.

Potential Environmental Justice Area (PEJA) and Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) Benefits

10 to 0 points possible (all project types)

10 POINTS:

Project improves water quality and is within a PEJA or DAC.

OR

Project is within the HUC 10 watershed and upstream of a drinking water source that will protect the drinking water quality serving a PEJA or DAC.

5 POINTS:

Project improves water quality and is within the HUC 10 watershed and upstream of a PEJA or DAC.

0 POINTS:

Project does not improve water quality within a PEJA or DAC.

OR

Project is not within the HUC 10 watershed and not upstream of a drinking water source that will protect the drinking water quality serving a PEJA or DAC.

OR

Project does not improve water quality and is not within the HUC 10 watershed and not upstream of a PEJA or DAC .

Disadvantaged Communities

(DAC)18

10 to 0 points possible (all project types)

See Attachment A.

10 POINTS:

Applicant is a municipality with a DAC population of 81 – 100%.

8 POINTS:

Applicant is a municipality with a DAC population of 61 – 80%.

6 POINTS:

Applicant is a municipality with a DAC population of 41 – 60%.

4 POINTS:

Applicant is a municipality with a DAC population of 20 – 40%

2 POINTS:

Applicant is a municipality with a DAC population of 1

– 19%.

0 POINTS:

Applican…