The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated $686 million to North Carolina for projects aimed at improving drinking water, wastewater, and septic systems affected by Hurricane Helene. The funding targets increasing resilience in these systems to reduce their risk and vulnerability during future storms. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting applications for this funding throughout the year.
North Carolina received $409,422,000 for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF Helene) projects and $253,681,000 for Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF Helene) projects. An additional $22,510,000 from the CWSRF program is designated specifically to improve the resilience of septic systems. These funds are available as long-term loans with zero percent interest, and eligible projects may qualify for principal forgiveness.
Governor Josh Stein commented on the announcement: “Families across North Carolina should be able to turn on their faucets at home knowing their water is safe. This DEQ announcement is a step forward in western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene, and I encourage local governments and businesses to apply for this funding to ensure safe and clean drinking water for their communities.”
Reid Wilson, Secretary of DEQ, stated: “Hurricane Helene absolutely hammered drinking water, wastewater and septic systems throughout our mountains. We greatly appreciate the Environmental Protection Agency’s partnership in allocating $686 million to North Carolina, and we encourage communities whose systems were damaged by Helene to apply for funding to repair and upgrade their systems to make them more resilient to future storms.”
The funds can be used for State Revolving Fund-eligible projects that reduce flood risk at treatment facilities or enhance system resiliency against rapid hydrologic changes or natural disasters. Local government units or nonprofit water/wastewater corporations impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply; investor-owned drinking water corporations affected by the hurricane may also seek DWSRF Helene funds.
Additionally, CWSRF Decentralized Wastewater Systems funding is available in areas hit by Helene for repairing or upgrading septic systems to withstand flooding. Funding may also support assessments or connections between decentralized homes and centralized wastewater treatment systems. Nonprofits that help homeowners finance repairs or replacements are eligible.
Further details about eligibility criteria and application materials are available on the Division of Water Infrastructure’s website (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure). Applications will be accepted year-round on a rolling basis. The division also lists other funding opportunities online (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-need-funding).
Recently, the Division held in-person training sessions about this specific funding in several locations including Clyde, Boone, Hickory, Raleigh, as well as a recorded virtual session accessible through its website.
