The DWSRF provides cities, towns, and villages with loan, additional subsidization and other financial assistance to address urgent water challenges to achieve the health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act. With funding or financing from the DWSRF, local governments can improve their drinking water and treatment and distribution systems, improve source water, address water storage and more. The DWSRF is a federal-state program that provides low-interest loans to eligible recipients for drinking water infrastructure projects. The program is administered at the state level and is aligned with federal administration policies and priorities onclimate and racial wealth equity, as it requires that part of the funding goes to disadvantaged communities. Download the grant summary.

Bootcamp Structure

Courses

Peer Learning Sessions (Webinars): Interactive sessions featuring Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on the policy and grant approach, followed by smaller sessions for peer discussions

Coaching Sessions: Smaller sessions that continue to build on specific application questions identified in the peer learning session

Office Hours (Consultant Meetings): Support in the form of designated time slots with our SMEs and your team to address specific questions about your grant application

Support

Navigator Team: Our Navigator team is available to help answer the following kinds of questions:

  • Bootcamp timelines
  • Bootcamp schedules
  • Participation expectations

Our Navigator for this grant is Clayton Harris III. He can be reached at charris@nlc.org

Prepare for Success

Download the full outline of the bootcamp schedule, goals, and key steps to ensure you are ready to attend the following courses and successfully prepare and submit your grant application.

 

Modules and Resources

Module 1

Orientation and Grant Overview

Cities are introduced to the DWSRF program and its project and applicant eligibility criteria.

View Module 1 Peer Learning Session
Download the Module 1 Slide Deck

Additional Resources

View the Module 1 Coaching Slide Deck

Module 2

State and Federal Administration Priorities

Cities begin to align their project with the DWSRF program and process, by understanding how to identify state-specific DWSRF program requirements (e.g., eligibility survey, Intended Use Plans and Project Priority Lists, priority ranking, loan rates and terms, disadvantaged/affordability criteria).

    View the Module 2 Peer Learning Session
    Download the Module 2 Slide Deck

    Additional Resources

    View the Module 2 Coaching Slide Deck

    Module 3

    Engaging the Community

    Cities explore community engagement strategies to ensure that community voices are embedded into project design and implementation.

    View the Module 3 Peer Learning Session
    Download the Module 3 Slide Deck

    Additional Resources

    Community Engagement Workbook

    Module 4

    Project Planning and Application Preparation: Part 1

    Cities understand the process of applying to and participating in the DWSRF, including the stages of environmental review, financial review, technical review, procurement and contracting, construction, disbursement, and repayment, and the capacity-building support available to support communities in completing the DWSRF’s readiness requirements.

    View the Module 4 Peer Learning Session
    Download the Module 4 Slide Deck

    Additional Resources

    View the Module 4 Coaching Slide Deck

    Module 5

    Incorporating Data

    Cities learn how to leverage data throughout their applications and are introduced to resources that can support water system data collection and analysis.

    View the Module 5 Peer Learning Session
    Download the Module 5 Slide Deck

    Additional Resources

    Federal Grant Navigation Equity Dashboard
    Building a Community Narrative Worksheet

    Module 6

    Project Planning and Application Preparation: Part 2

    Cities will better understand the process of applying to and participating in the DWSRF, including the stages of environmental review, financial review, technical review, procurement and contracting, construction, disbursement, and repayment.

     

    View the Module 6 Peer Learning Session
    Download the Module 6 Slide Deck

    Module 7

    Demystifying DWSRF Financing Structures & Financial Assessments

    Cities understand the percent of project funding available (i.e., identifying need for matching funds), loan interest rates, potential additional subsidization (e.g., principal forgiveness, reduced interest rates, extended repayment terms) and financing structures for projects; repayment requirements and allowable sources.

    View the Module 7 Peer Learning Session
    Download the Module 7 Slide Deck

    Module 8

    Post Submission Long-Term Capacity Building

    Cities develop plans to successfully administer the loan including next steps that are relevant across state programs.

    View the Module 8 Peer Learning Session
    Download the Module 8 Slide Deck

    Additional Resources for All Modules

    DWSRF - A Guide to Getting Started

    Bootcamp Calendar