Wastewater Infrastructure Fund
Overview
The Wastewater Infrastructure Fund provides supplemental grants based on affordability criteria to help communities build wastewater treatment projects that address existing environmental or public health problems.
Administered by the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, the fund provides matching grants to communities that receive wastewater financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program and grants to communities that receive loans under the Clean Water Revolving Fund and meet certain affordability criteria.
Report to the Legislature
Download the PFA's 2012 Wastewater Infrastructure Fund report to the Legislature.
Eligibility
Cities, counties, townships, sanitary districts or other governmental subdivisions responsible for wastewater treatment are eligible.
Applicants meeting USDA rural Development eligibility requirements apply directly to Rural Development.
Applicants not meeting Rural Development requirements apply directly to the PFA as part of an application for a Clean Water Revolving Fund loan.
Minimum Requirements
Projects must be included on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Project Priority List. Non-rural development projects must also be on the PFA’s Intended Use Plan. Projects must be certified by the MPCA before the PFA may approve financing for the project.
A municipality must apply to all other grant funding sources for which the project is eligible before it may receive assistance through the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund.
Municipalities receiving WIF funds must annually deposit a minimum of 50 cents per 1,000 gallons of flow for major rehabilitation, expansion or replacement of the treatment system at the end of its useful life.
Eligible Costs
Eligible costs are those necessary to meet a municipality’s existing wastewater treatment needs. Costs related to future residential, commercial and industrial growth are not eligible.
Assistance Amounts
For municipalities receiving funding from USDA Rural Development, the WIF grant may be up to 65 percent of the total grant need determined by Rural Development.
Municipalities not receiving funding from Rural Development may receive a WIF grant in conjunction with a CWRF loan when the average per household system costs exceed 1.4% of median household income.
The maximum WIF grant may not exceed $4 million or $15,000 per connection, whichever is less.
Funds Reserved
Each fiscal year the PFA identifies potentially eligible projects based on their ranking on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Priority Project List and available project information.
Funds are reserved in priority order when projects receive a funding commitment from USDA Rural Development or submits plans and specifications to the MPCA. Funds are reserved in an amount based on the project cost estimate at the time the funds are appropriated and awarded in an amount based on that estimate or the as-bid costs, whichever is less.
Disbursement
Funds are disbursed monthly, as costs are incurred.
Applications Accepted
Applicants eligible for Rural Development funding must apply directly to Rural Development. Non-Rural Development projects must request placement on the Clean Water Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan and follow the PFA's loan application process.
Contact the PFA
View a list of PFA program contacts.