State Public Water System Supervision (66.432)
Program
66.432 State Public Water System Supervision
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, as amended; Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, Public Law 93-523, as amended; Public Law 95-190; Public Law 96-16; Public Law 96-502; Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986; Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996, Public Law 104-182.
Program Number
66.432
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The objective of the grants is to provide financial assistance, to eligible States, for the conduct of their Public Water Systems Supervision (PWSS) Program. The fundamental goal of the program, and the grants, is to ensure that water systems comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations listed in 40 CRF 141 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/40cfr141_02.html. The major components of a State PWSS program are: the development of State drinking water regulations; the development and maintenance of an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; the development and maintenance of a database housing compliance information on public water systems; the conduct of sanitary surveys on the public water systems; the review of public water system plans & specifications; the provision of technical assistance to system managers and operators; a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; the certification of laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and the conduct of an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements. Funding Priority: The objective of the grants is to provide financial assistance, to eligible States, for the conduct of their Public Water Systems Supervision (PWSS) Program. The fundamental goal of the program, and the grants, is to ensure that water systems comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations listed in 40 CRF 141 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/40cfr141_02.html. The major components of a State PWSS program are: the development of State drinking water regulations; the development and maintenance of an inventory of public water systems throughout the State; the development and maintenance of a database housing compliance information on public water systems; the conduct of sanitary surveys on the public water systems; the review of public water system plans & specifications; the provision of technical assistance to system managers and operators; a program to ensure that the public water systems keep their consumers informed about the quality of the water they are providing; the certification of laboratories that are allowed to perform the analysis of drinking water that will be used to determine compliance with the drinking water regulations; and the conduct of an enforcement program to ensure that the public water systems comply with all of the requirements.
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
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.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State agencies designated by the Governor or Chief Executive Officer of one of the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or an individual Indian Tribe treated as a State, that have been delegated Primary Enforcement Responsibility for the Public Water System Supervision Program provided for in 40 CFR 142 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/40cfr142_02.html.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State, territorial, or Tribal agencies responsible for supervision of water supply within State will receive funds.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination with appropriate regional office recommended. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. 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
The grant application including State Program Plan, must be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Administrator.
Award Procedure
The grant application and State program plan is reviewed, and if approvable, signed by the Regional Administrator.
Deadlines
Applications must be submitted 60 days before the beginning of the agreed upon budget period.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Appeals are subject to the provisions in 40 CFR Part 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Funds appropriated each year are allotted on the basis of State population (20 percent) as contained in the most currently available Statistical Abstract; State land area (10 percent) as contained in the most currently available Statistical Abstract; the number of community and non-transient non-community water systems in the State (56 percent) and the number of transient non- community water systems in the State (14 percent); all water system inventories being provided by the States to EPA's Federal database SDWIS/FED. No State except American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands may be allotted less than 1 percent of the FY 89 appropriation. Up to seven percent of the National total available grant funds are set-aside for Indian land activities 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 eligible costs, not to exceed the State allotment.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Annual grants. There is no restriction placed upon the time permitted to spend the award. Awards released through letters of credit or reimbursement.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual onsite evaluation, final financial and progress report as set forth in the grant agreement.
Audits
Grants are subject to inspection and audit by EPA, the Comptroller General of the U.S., or any authorized representative. Periodic audits should be made as part of the recipient's systems of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants and other agreements. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the single Audit Act Amendments of 1996. The Circular requires nonfederal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars, to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions. With the revised Circular, the previous OMB Circular No. A-128 for single audits of State and local governments was rescinded and the single audit requirements for these entities were incorporated among the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for 3 years from the date of submission of the annual financial status report or until any audit exceptions have been resolved.
Program Accomplishments
During fiscal year 2002, 49 States, five territories and one Indian Tribe received primacy grants or primacy development grants.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obligations
FY 02 $93,100,200; FY 03 est $93,100,200; and FY 04 est $105,100,200.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For FY 02, $124,800 to $6,393,700; average $1,755,600.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Financial Assistance for Continuing Environmental Programs (40 CFR 35, Subpart A); General Grant Regulations and Procedures (40 CFR Part 30).
Related Programs
66.433, State Underground Water Source Protection; 66.468, Capitalization Grants for Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Ray Enyeart, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (4604M), Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-3829.
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/pws/pwsgrant.html
Examples of Funded Projects
Grants are awarded solely to eligible States. The Grant funds are utilized by the States for such purposes as development of State regulations, program plan developments, data management, inventory of drinking water systems, public participation, technical assistance and enforcement.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
(1) Adequacy of State's annual program plan for the adoption and enforcement of drinking water regulations which are no less stringent than the national primary drinking regulations. (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 40 CFR 30 and 40 CFR 35.
