Ohio EPA announces $1.4 billion in funding requests in the 2024 Drinking Water Assistance Fund program management plan

Ohio EPA recently finalized the 2024 Drinking Water Assistance Fund (DWAF) program management plan, which includes more than $1.4 billion in funding requests. This funding will be used for a record number of infrastructure projects around the state.
 
The plan can be viewed at: https://epa.ohio.gov/static/Portals/29/documents/ofa/DWAF-PMP-2024.pdf.

The DWAF provides financial and technical assistance for a variety of projects that help improve or protect the quality of Ohio's drinking water. The 2024 DWAF program year runs from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Loan funds are available to all applicants that meet program requirements.
 
The funding for this program year includes:
 
• Up to $28.7 million in principal forgiveness for disadvantaged community and regionalization projects.

• $17 million in principal forgiveness for emerging contaminants (EC) projects with a focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) issues.

• Up to $166 million as combination principal forgiveness and zero percent loans for lead service line (LSL) replacement projects.
 
In addition to projects identified in the 2024 DWAF plan, planning and design, Harmful Algal Blooms, LSL and EC projects may be nominated at any time.
 
The primary source of funds in the DWAF program are proceeds from bond issues, repayments of previously awarded loans and annual federal capitalization grants. Additional principal forgiveness and/or grant funding from other sources may be available during the program year. More information is available in the highlights section of the program management plan.
 
Issuance of the final DWAF 2024 program management plan can be appealed to the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC). Appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of issuing a final action; therefore, anyone considering filing an appeal should contact ERAC at (614) 466-8950 for more information.