Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants

This program may have additional incentives or benefits for those who are underserved. Learn more about our terminology.

This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.

Managing USDA Agency	Type of Assistance	Who Should Apply	Learn More
Rural Development (RD)	Grant: Up to $150,000 for repair grants; Up to $1,000,000 for source water projects	Rurally located public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes	Visit

The following projects can be pursued with this grant:

Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and address maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply.
Water source grants up to $1,000,000 for the construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants, and/or other sources of water (water source up to and including the treatment plant)

Eligible applicants:

Local public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes in an eligible area.
Applicants must show that a major decline in quantity or quality of water occurred within two years of the date of the application. Grants are also awarded when a significant decline in quality and quantity of water is imminent.

Eligible crops/projects/instruments/areas:

Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less
Tribal lands in rural areas
Colonias
The area to be served must have a median household income less-than the state’s median household income for non-metropolitan areas. Contact your local RD office for details.

Eligible events that qualify as an emergency:

No, applications are accepted year-round.

Grants can be for 100 percent of project costs.
The grants can pay to obtain or maintain adequate quantities of water that meet Safe Drinking Water Act standards.