State Public Water System Supervision

 

The objective of these grants is to provide financial assistance to eligible States and Tribes, those that have Primary Enforcement Responsibility for the Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program, for implementation and enforcement of the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act that apply to public water systems. In cases where a State or a Tribe does not have a Primary Enforcement Responsibility program, EPA is authorized to use funds that would have otherwise been made available to the State or the Tribe to assist it in direct implementation of the PWSS program. The fundamental goal of the PWSS Program, and the grants, is to ensure that public water systems comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations listed in 40 CFR 141. State drinking water agencies, which have Primary Enforcement Responsibility for the PWSS Program, and Indian Tribes that receive PWSS grants are to use them to ensure that public drinking water systems, of all types, and of all sizes: (1) are currently in compliance with the drinking water regulations and remain in compliance, (2) are working towards and in the process of achieving compliance when these systems are noncompliant, and (3) are preparing for future compliance with any new drinking water regulations that will be taking effect in the current or following year. Furthermore, State drinking water agencies, which have Primary Enforcement Responsibility for the PWSS Program, and Indian Tribes that receive PWSS grants are required to use the funds to update and maintain its PWSS program to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation requirements listed in 40 CFR 142 to ensure that the State or Tribal PWSS program is capable of conducting oversight of all public water systems as new drinking water rules, new public water systems, and/or drinking water program requirements become effective. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2023: The priority for the PWSS grants is to ensure that the population served by community water systems will receive drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards. This includes ensuring public water systems implement and comply with all drinking water rules, including carefully considering any simultaneous compliance issues. Furthermore, EPA's priority is for States and Tribal PWSS Programs to meet the primary enforcement responsibilities. The primary components of a State or Tribal PWSS program are: (1) the adoption and implementation of State and Indian Tribe drinking water regulations at least as stringent as the Federal regulations; (2) the development and maintenance of database(s) of an inventory of public water systems and housing of public water system compliance information; (3) the conduct of sanitary surveys, which identifies sanitary deficiencies and requires that these deficiencies to be addressed, at public water systems; (4) the establishment and maintenance of a laboratory certification program for approval of laboratories to perform analyses of drinking water contaminants/analytes, including the assurance of adequate laboratory capacity to perform drinking water analyses; (5) the review of public water system plans and specifications; (6) the establishment of legal enforcement and authority to assess penalties to compel public water systems' compliance with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; (7) the adoption of regulations consistent with 40 CFR part 3 which deals with electronic documents; and (8) the adoption and implementation of an adequate plan for providing safe drinking water during emergency circumstances. In Fiscal Year 2021, of the funds provided, $10,000,000 is to further support States, Territories, and Tribes in addressing PFAS and other contaminants of emerging concern as they carry out their Public Water System Supervision programs.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
66.432
Federal Agency/Office
Environmental Protection Agency
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 During FY 2016, 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe (Navajo Nation) were awarded grant funding under the PWSS Program. The majority of the grant funds were used for State, territorial, or Tribal governmental salaries to allow the governments to: develop and maintain State drinking water regulations; develop and maintain an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; develop and maintain a database housing compliance information on public water systems; conduct sanitary surveys on the public water systems; review public water system plans and specifications to ensure systems meet State design standards; provide technical assistance and training to water system managers and operators to ensure they are knowledgeable of the State requirements and best treatment and operation practices; conduct of a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; inspect and certify laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and conduct an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements. States, territories, and Tribes also use the grant funds to upgrade and maintain the data systems that are used to store and track information on public water systems. During FY 2016, 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe (Navajo Nation) were awarded grant funding under the PWSS Program. The majority of the grant funds were used for State, territorial, or Tribal governmental salaries to allow the governments to: develop and maintain State drinking water regulations; develop and maintain an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; develop and maintain a database housing compliance information on public water systems; conduct sanitary surveys on the public water systems; review public water system plans and specifications to ensure systems meet State design standards; provide technical assistance and training to water system managers and operators to ensure they are knowledgeable of the State requirements and best treatment and operation practices; conduct of a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; inspect and certify laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and conduct an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements. States, territories, and Tribes also use the grant funds to upgrade and maintain the data systems that are used to store and track information on public water systems.
Fiscal Year 2017 During FY 2017, 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe (Navajo Nation) were awarded grant funding under the PWSS Program. The majority of the grant funds were used for State, territorial, or Tribal governmental salaries to allow the governments to: develop and maintain State drinking water regulations; develop and maintain an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; develop and maintain a database housing compliance information on public water systems; conduct sanitary surveys on the public water systems; review public water system plans and specifications to ensure systems meet State design standards; provide technical assistance and training to water system managers and operators to ensure they are knowledgeable of the State requirements and best treatment and operation practices; conduct of a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; inspect and certify laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and conduct an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements. States, territories, and Tribes also use the grant funds to upgrade and maintain the data systems that are used to store and track information on public water systems.
Fiscal Year 2018 During FY 2018, 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe (Navajo Nation) were awarded grant funding under the PWSS Program. The majority of the grant funds were used for State, territorial, or Tribal governmental salaries to allow the governments to: develop and maintain State drinking water regulations; develop and maintain an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; develop and maintain a database housing compliance information on public water systems; conduct sanitary surveys on the public water systems; review public water system plans and specifications to ensure systems meet State design standards; provide technical assistance and training to water system managers and operators to ensure they are knowledgeable of the State requirements and best treatment and operation practices; conduct of a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; inspect and certify laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and conduct an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements. States, territories, and Tribes also use the grant funds to upgrade and maintain the data systems that are used to store and track information on public water systems.
Fiscal Year 2019 During FY 2019 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe (Navajo Nation) were awarded grant funding under the PWSS Program. The majority of the grant funds were used for State, territorial, or Tribal governmental salaries to allow the governments to: develop and maintain State drinking water regulations; develop and maintain an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; develop and maintain a database housing compliance information on public water systems; conduct sanitary surveys on the public water systems; review public water system plans and specifications to ensure systems meet State design standards; provide technical assistance and training to water system managers and operators to ensure they are knowledgeable of the State requirements and best treatment and operation practices; conduct of a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; inspect and certify laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and conduct an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements. States, territories, and Tribes also used the grant funds to upgrade and maintain the data systems that are used to store and track information on public water systems.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe (Navajo Nation) were awarded grant funding under the PWSS Program. The majority of the grant funds will be used for State, territorial, or Tribal governmental salaries to allow the governments to: develop and maintain State drinking water regulations; develop and maintain an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; develop and maintain a database housing compliance information on public water systems; conduct sanitary surveys on the public water systems; review public water system plans and specifications to ensure systems meet State design standards; provide technical assistance and training to water system managers and operators to ensure they are knowledgeable of the State requirements and best treatment and operation practices; conduct of a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; inspect and certify laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and conduct an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements. States, territories, and Tribes also use the grant funds to upgrade and maintain the data systems that are used to store and track information on public water systems.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe (Navajo Nation) will be awarded grant funding under the PWSS Program. The majority of the grant funds will be used for State, territorial, or Tribal governmental salaries to allow the governments to: develop and maintain State drinking water regulations; develop and maintain an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; develop and maintain a database housing compliance information on public water systems; conduct sanitary surveys on the public water systems; review public water system plans and specifications to ensure systems meet State design standards; provide technical assistance and training to water system managers and operators to ensure they are knowledgeable of the State requirements and best treatment and operation practices; conduct of a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; inspect and certify laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and conduct an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements. States, territories, and Tribes also use the grant funds to upgrade and maintain the data systems that are used to store and track information on public water systems.
Authorization
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1443(a)
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1451
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to the governments of the fifty States; the District of Columbia; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the Northern Mariana Islands; the Virgin Islands; Guam; American Samoa; and federally recognized Tribes, that have either assumed primary enforcement responsibility for the PWSS Program or that want to develop a program that will allow them to seek delegation for a PWSS Program. EPA may also use funds allotted for a State or Tribal program, if the State or Tribe does not have, or is not developing, primary enforcement responsibility, or EPA may use all or part of the funds to support the PWSS Program in absence of an acceptable State program. Eligibility is also limited to a single agency within each State, Territory, or Tribe - an agency that has been designated by the jurisdiction's Governor or Chief Executive Officer. Primary Enforcement Responsibility for the Public Water System Supervision Program is provided for in 40 CFR 142 (https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-142?toc=1).
Beneficiary Eligibility
The beneficiaries are the agencies within the fifty States; the District of Columbia; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the Northern Mariana Islands; the Virgin Islands; Guam; American Samoa; and federally recognized Tribes, that have been designated by the jurisdiction's Governor or Chief Executive Officer as being responsible for the supervision of water supplies within the State, Territory, or Tribe.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov.
Award Procedure
The grant application and Program Plan are reviewed by the appropriate EPA Regional Office, and if approved, are signed by the Regional Administrator, who then awards the funds to the recipient.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Generally 60 days.
Appeals
Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
(1) Adequacy of States and Tribes (those that have Primary Enforcement Responsibility for the PWSS Program) for the adoption and enforcement of drinking water regulations which are no less stringent than the national primary drinking regulations as listed in 40 CFR 141 and 40 CFR 142. (2) Designation of a State agency to receive the grant and be responsible for conducting the public water system supervision program. (3) Compliance with requirements of 2 CFR 200 and 1500 as applicable, and 40 CFR 35.
How may assistance be used?
The funds are to be used to develop and implement a Public Water System Supervision Program adequate to enforce the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and associated program regulations found in 40 CFR Parts 141, 142, and 143. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Geospatial information is information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features or boundaries on the earth, or applications, tools, and hardware associated with the generation, maintenance, or distribution of such information. This information may be derived from, among other things, GPS, remote sensing, mapping, charting, and surveying technologies, or statistical data. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial).
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Reporting requirements shall be determined at the time of grant award.
Auditing
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year.
Records
Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title Protection of the Environment Chapter 40 Part 35 Subpart 172 Public Law 93-523, Section 1443(a)(3) and (a)(4) State allotments are computed through use of a formula, as prescribed in Public Law 93-523 Section 1443 (a)(3) and (a)(4), 40 CFR 35.172. Funds appropriated each year are allotted on the basis of: (a) State, Territory, or Tribal population (20 percent) as contained in the most currently available (published) U.S. Census Bureau data; (b) State, Territory, or Tribal geographical area (10 percent) as contained in the most currently available (published) U.S. Census Bureau data; (c) the number of active community and non-transient non-community water systems being regulated by the State, Territory, or Tribe that are on record in EPA's data system (56 percent); and (d) the number of active transient non-community water systems being regulated by the State, Territory, or Tribe that are on record in EPA's data system (14 percent). All States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are eligible for a minimum of $334,500 (which is equal to 1 percent of the FY 1989 PWSS Program appropriation). The American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands are eligible for a minimum of $111,500 (which is equal to 1/3 percent of the FY 1989 PWSS Program appropriation). Up to seven percent of the amount appropriated for the PWSS Program is set-aside to support Public Water System Supervision programs on Indian lands (including grants to Tribes) in accordance with EPA Grant Regulations. The formula factors of population and land area are statutory. The other factors, and all of the weightings, are Agency imposed. Federal assistance is limited to 75 percent of total, eligible program costs (40 CFR 35.175).

Matching is mandatory. 25%. Federal assistance is limited to 75 percent of total, eligible program costs (40 CFR 35.175).

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The term of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award. The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
Region 1 - Downing, Jane ; 617-918-1571; 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109-3912; Region 2 - Ash, Christine ; 212-637-4006; 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007-1866; Region 3 - Crumlish, Karen ; 215-814-3398; 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029; Region 4 - Smith, Brian ; 404-562-9845; 61 Forsyth Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303-3104; Region 5 - Bauer, Candice ; 312-353-2106; 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604-3507; Region 6 - Brown, Jamesr ; 214-665-3175; Fountain Place 12th Floor, Suite 1200, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202-2733; Region 7 - Mindrup, Mary ; 913-551-7431; 11201 Renner Blvd, Lenexa, KS 66219; Region 8 - Bahrman, Sarah ; 303-312-6243; 1595 Wynkoop, Denver, CO. 80202; Region 9 - Li, Corine ; 415-972-3560; 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105; Region 10 - Burgess, Karen ; 206-553-1644; 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101.
Headquarters Office
Will Bowman
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (Mail Code: 4606M)
Washington, DC 20460 US
Bowman.will@epa.gov
Phone: (202) 564-3782
Website Address
https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/final-allotment-fy-2021-public-water-system-supervision-pwss-state-and-tribal-support
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 22$103,172,299.00; FY 23 est $121,500,000.00; FY 24 est $132,566,000.00; FY 21$105,275,900.00; FY 20$102,402,000.00; FY 19$98,642,000.00; FY 18$98,978,800.00; FY 17$100,194,000.00; FY 16$101,036,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Range of $126,000 to $7,529,000/fiscal year; Average of $1,697,000/fiscal year.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
2 CFR Part 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs); and 40 CFR Part 35 SubPart A (Environmental Program Grants) or SubPart B (Environmental Program Grants for Tribes.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 Funding was awarded to each of the 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe that has primary enforcement responsibility for the PWSS Program. The grants were used by these governments, primarily for governmental salaries to: develop State or Tribal drinking water regulations, update and maintain an inventory of drinking water systems, manage information on public water systems, ensure public participation regarding drinking water systems, provide technical assistance to public water systems, and enforce drinking water quality standards as required to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation requirements listed in 40 CFR 142 to thereby ensure that the State or Tribal PWSS program is capable of conducting oversight of all public water systems as new drinking water rules, new public water systems, and/or drinking water program requirements become effective. In total for FY 2016, the State, territory, and tribal PWSS primary enforcement programs used the PWSS grant to assist an estimated 150,310 public water systems. Funding was awarded to each of the 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe that has primary enforcement responsibility for the PWSS Program. The grants were used by these governments, primarily for governmental salaries to: develop State or Tribal drinking water regulations, update and maintain an inventory of drinking water systems, manage information on public water systems, ensure public participation regarding drinking water systems, provide technical assistance to public water systems, and enforce drinking water quality standards as required to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation requirements listed in 40 CFR 142 to thereby ensure that the State or Tribal PWSS program is capable of conducting oversight of all public water systems as new drinking water rules, new public water systems, and/or drinking water program requirements become effective. In total for FY 2016, the State, territory, and tribal PWSS primary enforcement programs used the PWSS grant to assist an estimated 150,310 public water systems.
Fiscal Year 2018 Funding was awarded to each of the 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe that has primary enforcement responsibility for the PWSS Program. The grants were used by these governments, primarily for governmental salaries to: develop State or Tribal drinking water regulations, update and maintain an inventory of drinking water systems, manage information on public water systems, ensure public participation regarding drinking water systems, provide technical assistance to public water systems, and enforce drinking water quality standards as required to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation requirements listed in 40 CFR 142 to thereby ensure that the State or Tribal PWSS program is capable of conducting oversight of all public water systems as new drinking water rules, new public water systems, and/or drinking water program requirements become effective. In total for FY 2018, the State, territory, and tribal PWSS primary enforcement programs used the PWSS grant to assist an estimated 150,310 public water systems.
Fiscal Year 2022 Funding was awarded to each of the 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe that has primary enforcement responsibility for the PWSS Program. The funding is primarily for governmental salaries to: develop State or Tribal drinking water regulations, update and maintain an inventory of drinking water systems, manage information on public water systems, ensure public participation regarding drinking water systems, provide technical assistance to public water systems, and enforce drinking water quality standards as required to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation requirements listed in 40 CFR 142 to thereby ensure that the State or Tribal PWSS program is capable of conducting oversight of all public water systems as new drinking water rules, new public water systems, and/or drinking water program requirements become effective. It is estimated that for FY 2022, the State, territory, and tribal PWSS primary enforcement programs will use the PWSS grant to assist an estimated 144,000 public water systems.
Fiscal Year 2023 Funding is awarded to each of the 49 States, five territories, and one Indian Tribe that has primary enforcement responsibility for the PWSS Program. The funding is primarily for governmental salaries to: develop State or Tribal drinking water regulations, update and maintain an inventory of drinking water systems, manage information on public water systems, ensure public participation regarding drinking water systems, provide technical assistance to public water systems, and enforce drinking water quality standards as required to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation requirements listed in 40 CFR 142 to thereby ensure that the State or Tribal PWSS program is capable of conducting oversight of all public water systems as new drinking water rules, new public water systems, and/or drinking water program requirements become effective. It is estimated that for FY 2023, the State, territory, and tribal PWSS primary enforcement programs will use the PWSS grant to assist an estimated 144,000 public water systems.

 


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