What's New

Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) Call for Project Nominations for Program Year 2024

The Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance (DEFA) is pleased to announce the WSRLA Program Year 2024 call for nominations and invite you to submit projects for financial assistance. Project nominations will be accepted through March 3, 2023 for the WSRLA upcoming program year 2024 (July 1, 2-2023 - June 30, 2024).

The nomination form and instructions are available on our WSRLA webpage. Please submit all nominations to defamail@epa.ohio.gov. All nominations must be received no later than March 3, 2023. 

Additional resources are available with the nomination form including an overview of the Disadvantaged Community Loan Program and Readiness-to-Proceed criteria along with the presentation slides from our WSRLA Program Year 2024 webinar.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at defamail@epa.ohio.gov.

2023 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program Management Plan (PMP) Finalized

The 2023 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program Management Plan (PMP) is now finalized and available for review or download. 

The PMP includes a list of all projects seeking assistance in program year 2023 and describes how Ohio EPA proposes to distribute funds, administer the program and prioritize projects.

If you have questions regarding the 2023 PMP or the WPCLF program, please contact the Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance at 614-644-2798 or via email to defamail@epa.ohio.gov.

Construction Guidance Document Updated with BABA Forms

Included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are several amendments to the Clean Water Act as well as the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act. BABA establishes strong and permanent domestic sourcing requirements across all federal financial assistance programs. It expands the current American Iron and Steel domestic preference requirements for SRF programs and includes manufactured products and construction materials. On May 14, 2022, BABA requirements became effective (180 days after enactment of the BIL). USEPA released guidance for states on November 7, 2022 following approval of three program waivers https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/build-america-buy-america-baba-approved-waivers.

All BIL funded projects (emerging contaminants and lead service line projects) as well as equivalency projects are required to follow BABA.

For projects that initiated design activities prior to May 14, 2022, a waiver of BABA requirements for manufactured products and construction materials is available. American Iron and Steel requirements will remain in effect. Additional waivers may be issued for the SRF programs but, until issued, projects that will not meet the waiver requirements should plan for BABA requirements during design and bidding activities. Ohio EPA’s construction guidance document is updated with BABA information and required forms: Construction Guidance Document

Clean Watersheds Needs Survey Responses Due!

The Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance (DEFA) is collecting data from communities and sewer systems as part of U.S. EPA's Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS). The CWNS identifies wastewater and water quality infrastructure needs across the nation. The survey is vitally important as it can influence the funding allocated to states for water quality improvements. We need your help to provide information so your community's needs can be counted!

What to expect:
DEFA staff sent survey emails to communities based on population served. Small Communities and systems (less than 10,000 served) received an email from CWNS@epa.ohio.gov . The email includes a link to submit an online form. Instructional videos and guidance on completing the form are available online https://www.epa.gov/cwns/cwns-small-community-form. For communities and systems with a service population greater than 10,000, a fillable survey form was included with the email along with instructions for submitting supporting documentation of future needs (e.g., CIP, PER, etc.).

What is the deadline:
Survey responses are due by February 3, 2023.

Who to contact with questions:
For questions with the survey forms or document submittal, please contact us at CWNS@epa.ohio.gov.

For general information and CWNS resources visit https://www.epa.gov/cwnsAbout.

2019 Sewer and Water Rate Survey

Ohio EPA has finalized and posted the 2019 Sewer and Water Rate Survey for calendar year 2019. The purpose of the annual Sewer and Water Rate Survey is to collect and publish Ohio residential sewer and water rates. The Economic Analysis Unit annually surveys sewer and water rates charged by Ohio cities, villages and special districts during the prior calendar year. Annual rates are calculated for residential customers within municipal limits given an assumed monthly water consumption level of 7,756 gallons (or 1,037 cubic feet) per household. Rate calculations do not include charges levied through income or property taxes. Historic survey data and sewer and water rates for more than 500 cities, villages and districts during the 2003-2018 periods are available online at Ohio EPA's Office of Fiscal Administration web page.

Documents Available for Review and Comment

WPCLF Documents for Review and Comment

For questions or to provide comments, please contact the person listed on the last page of the document.

WSRLA Documents for Review and Comment

For questions or to provide comments, please contact the person listed on the last page of the document.

WRRSP Documents for Review and Comment

For questions or to provide comments, please contact the person listed on the last page of the document.

Current Interest Rates

Interest Rates