DNR rolls out new grant program to provide safer water to small public water systems

MADISON, Wis. -- Safer water could be coming to a select few communities according to the Wisconsin DNR.

The Department of Natural Resources announced a new grant program will help certain water system provide safer water to their communities.

The Underserved Drinking Water System Grant program will help other-than-municipal community and nonprofit non-transient  non-community public water systems to provide safe water in Wisconsin by providing funding for systems to address active violations and action level exceedances.

The application for the program opens Sept 3 and closes Dec 3.

"Public water systems strive to provide safe water to their communities, but may lack the financial capacity to afford the much-needed infrastructure changes," said Adam DeWeese, DNR public water supply section manager.

The new grant program is funded through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016. In 2024, the DNR received a financial assistance agreement from the U.S. Environment Protection (EPA) to issue subawards to help underserved communities that are served by public water systems which violate or exceed a requirement of the national public drinking water regulations.

The following communities are eligible for the grant

• Other-than-municipal community- Public water systems not owned by a government or municipality and serve groups of 25 or more year-round residents. Examples include mobile home parks, apartment buildings, and condominium associations.
• Nonprofit non-transient non-community- Non-residential public water systems that regularly serve groups of at least 25 of the same people over six months of the year and are nonprofit. Examples include public schools and nonprofit daycare centers. These systems should verify they are nonprofit to qualify for the grant.

To learn more about the program visit the Underserved Drinking Water System website.

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