Drinking Water Assistance Fund (DWAF)

The DWAF provides financial and technical assistance to public and private water systems to improve or protect drinking water quality. The fund includes the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), Source Water Assessment and Protection Program (SWAP), and technical assistance through the Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP). Projects and Considerations: Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement: Funds for inventory and replacement Emerging Contaminants (EC) ( PFAS): Support for planning and mitigation Asset Management Plans: Required for water systems Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA): Water main replacement, treatment upgrades Principal forgiveness is available for many projects funded by the WSRLA. Website: Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance Governing Statute: Ohio Revised Code 6109.22 Eligibility: Community water systems, both privately and publicly owned, and nonprofit non-community water systems are eligible for drinking water infrastructure loan funding through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WRSLA). Specifications: Below-market interest rate loans are available for construction of water treatment facilities, storage facilities and distributions system improvements, with planning and design loans currently offered at 0% interest. The standard below-market interest rate is established monthly. The program also offers a small community interest rate, as well as a disadvantaged community rate for qualifying borrowers. Limited principal forgiveness is available for borrowers who meet the disadvantaged community benchmarks and regionalization projects. Principal forgiveness funding is very competitive, based on project scoring and readiness-to-proceed. There are currently no minimum or maximum loan amounts. The WSRLA finances approximately $150 million for projects each year. Application Deadline: Project nominations are accepted each March for the upcoming program year, which begins July 1. Planning and design projects may be nominated throughout the program year. Contact: Jonathan Bernstein, Chief Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance 614.644.3715 [email protected] June 16, 2021 | Agency The Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) provides financial assistance for the planning, design and construction of improvements to community water systems and non-profit non-community public water systems. The program is jointly managed by DEFA and Ohio EPA's Division of Drinking and Ground Waters . 2027 Program Management Plan 2027 Program Management Plan (PDF) Final PMP Cover Letter (PDF) Please contact  DEFA with any questions regarding the WSRLA program. Program Year 2027 Nomination Materials Nomination Letter (PDF) Nomination - with instructions (Excel) Large File Transfer Instructions (PDF) Disadvantaged Community Overview (PDF) Readiness-to-Proceed Overview (PDF) Program Updates and Highlights for PY2027 (PDF) Program Documents 2026 WSRLA Program Management Plan Revised May 2026 (PDF) Lead Service Line Funding Fact Sheet (PDF) WSRLA Design and Construction Loan Project Planning Guidance (PDF) WSRLA Lead Service Line Replacement Project Planning Guidance (PDF) WSRLA Water Meter Replacement Project Planning Guidance (PDF) Drinking Water: Applicant/Design Engineer's Worksheet for Calculating Weighted Useful Life (Excel) WSRLA Construction Contract Requirements (Word) WSRLA Construction Contract Requirements (PDF) WSRLA Contract Document Review Checklist (PDF) Davis Bacon Compliance (Federal Wage Rates) State Revolving Fund American Iron and Steel Requirement Loan Applications Loan Application Instructions (PDF) Loan Application (Excel) WSRLA Private Borrower (Word) Annual Report 2024 Annual Report (PDF)