Response to Emergency Situations Affecting Public Water Systems (SDWA 1442(b))

To assist in responding to and alleviating emergency situations affecting public water systems. Pursuant to Section 1442(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), this assistance program provides grant funding for projects and activities in emergency

Funds are provided to eligible applicants as determined by EPA to respond to and alleviate emergency situations affecting water systems as authorized by Section 1442(b) of the SDWA. This assistance program provides grant funding for projects and activities in emergency situations that are necessary for preventing, limiting, or mitigating a substantial danger to public health and that would not be taken without this emergency assistance.

Assistance under this program is available to States and publicly owned Public Water Systems when EPA has made an Emergency Determination under SDWA Section 1442(b). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328, https://usepa.sharepoint.com/sites/TCCAB/Shared Documents/General/SDWA 1442b/Assistance Listing/OW - 66.489 Response to Emergency Situations Affecting Public Water Systems.finalclean.docx , appropriates disaster supplemental funding for technical assistance and grants under section 1442(b) of the SDWA ((42 U.S.C. 300j-1(b)), in areas where the President declared an emergency in August of fiscal year 2022 pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 5121 et seq.). The President's emergency declaration dated August 30, 2022, applies to Hinds County, Mississippi, but was necessitated by the water crisis impacting the City of Jackson's public water systems. Therefore, the City of Jackson's public water systems (PWS ID No. MS0250008 and PWS ID No. MS0250012) are the nation's only public water systems eligible for these funds. The American Relief Act, 2025, Public Law 118-158, appropriates disaster supplemental funding for necessary expenses to address water emergencies under section 1442(b) of the SDWA (42 U.S.C. 300j-1(b)) in States or territories in EPA Regions 3 and 4 impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Provided that funds may be used regardless of whether the emergency situation presents a substantial danger to public health; regardless of whether such grants will be used to support actions that would not otherwise be taken without emergency assistance; and funds may be provided to any appropriate recipient, as determined by the Administrator, to assist in responding to an emergency situation affecting a privately owned water system.

Anyone served by a public water system experiencing an emergency situation.

Funds are provided to eligible applicants to respond to and alleviate emergency situations affecting public water systems as authorized by Section 1442(b) of the SDWA. This assistance program provides grant funding for projects and activities in emergency situations that are necessary for preventing, limiting, or mitigating a substantial danger to public health and that would not be taken without this emergency assistance. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA. This program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. A discretionary award means an award in which the Federal awarding agency, in keeping with specific statutory authority that enables the agency to exercise judgement ("discretion"), selects the recipient and/or the amount of Federal funding awarded through a competitive process or based on merit of proposals. A discretionary award may be selected on a non-competitive basis, as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.

EPA will negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. Project periods are not expected to exceed one year. The terms of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award.

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Issuing office will provide location of application procedure details as appropriate.

Applications are assessed consistent with the merit review regulations in 2 CFR 200.205.

The grant applications are reviewed by Regional Offices and if approved, the funds are awarded to the recipient. For non-competitive awards made under this assistance listing, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant.

Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines.

Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.