Emerging Contaminants - Small/Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program (EC-SDC)

EC-SDC Grant Program for OTM / NonProfit NN Systems Emerging Contaminants-Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program for Other-than-Municipal/Nonprofit Non-transient Non-community Public Water Systems ATTENTION: Next funding cycle for PFAS and manganese in small drinking water systems opens February 1, 2026. Please check the EC-SDC Grant Announcement and the EC-SDC FAQ resource for more details on how to prepare and submit an application. Applications due by September 30, 2026. The 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ( BIL provided funds to assist public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities in addressing emerging contaminants. This program is known as the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC). The Wisconsin DNR received grant funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide financial assistance to OTM and nonprofit NN public water systems serving small or disadvantaged communities. This program focuses on PFAS and manganese as emerging contaminants. What are OTMs? Other-Than-Municipal Community (OTM) public water systems are not owned by a government or municipality and serve groups of 25 or more year-round residents. OTMs can include mobile home parks, apartment buildings, and condominium associations that are not on city or municipal water. What are nonprofit NNs? Non-Transient Non-Community (NN) public water systems are nonresidential and regularly serve groups of at least 25 of the same people over six months of the year. NNs can include schools and daycare centers that are not on city or municipal water. A nonprofit NN is a government entity, a public school district or an organization that is described under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue code which does not lobby. Eligibility Eligibility Who can apply? You must answer "yes" to each of the following three questions: ☑   Are you the owner or authorized representative of an OTM or nonprofit NN public water system? An authorized representative refers to the public water system owner or other designated individual who is legally allowed to act on behalf of the public water system. This person will assume responsibility for all grant award obligations and federal and state requirements and signs all grant administration documents ( application, grant contract, payment reimbursement materials, close-out certifications, etc.). ☑   Does your public water system serve a community that has a population less than 10,000? ☑   Does your public water system have either PFAS or manganese contamination? PFAS contamination occurs when the sample result taken at an entry point in the water system contains: PFOA or PFOS of 2 ng/L or or HFPO-DA of 5 ng/L or greater, PFAS with an EPA hazard index value of 0.5 or greater, or PFAS with the 2020 DHS hazard index value of 1.0 or greater. OR Manganese contamination occurs when the most recent sample taken at an entry point in the water system has a sample result of 300 µg/L or greater. Project Eligibility Project must include actions to address PFAS or manganese contamination. See the grant announcement for more detailed information. Examples of eligible items: Project planning and design Technical assistance Construction or treatment to address contamination, including: Consolidation with another water system New well construction and old well abandonment Treatment installation Apply Applying Complete applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications are accepted continually until September 30, 2026, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. See the grant announcement for details on how to apply. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] . STEP 1: Review the Eligibility tab and the grant announcement to verify your eligibility.