DEP-BWR-NOI-FY27 Water Management Act Grant ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is soliciting grant proposals from eligible entities under Request for Responses FY27 BWR-WMA for water management planning and implementation projects, with applications due September 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Eligible applicants are public water suppliers and municipalities holding a valid Water Management Act permit or permit application under review; municipalities not in compliance with the MBTA Communities Act are ineligible.

The scope encompasses planning assistance (drought planning and resiliency, firm yield studies, PFAS planning, rate studies) and implementation assistance (demand management, minimization, and mitigation activities for new withdrawal impacts). Project types span planning, demand management and drought resiliency, and mitigation categories.

Total funding available is $500,000, with individual awards ranging from $25,000 to $350,000 per applicant; MassDEP reserves discretion to award larger or smaller amounts for exceptional merit. All applicants must provide a 20% match of local, in-kind, or other funding sources; administrative and overhead costs are capped at 5% of awarded grant funds. The grant contract period runs from execution through June 30, 2027, with no renewal or extension options. Funding is contingent upon appropriation by the Massachusetts Legislature and availability of Commonwealth Capital Investment Plan funds.

Preference is given to projects in highly impacted basins or subbasins, cooperative proposals between multiple eligible entities or with watershed associations and regional planning agencies, and projects directly benefiting Disadvantaged Communities designated as Tier 1, 2, or 3 by adjusted per capita income calculations. Written questions are due September 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST, with official responses published by September 21. Award notification is estimated for January 2027. Upon award, recipients must complete required Commonwealth contract forms, including Standard Contract Form, Terms and Conditions, Alternative W-9 tax form, Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Form, and Electronic Funds Transfer form, within 30 days of Notice of Grant Award. Applications must be submitted electronically to jen.durso@mass.gov.