April 25, 2006

Applications are being sought for $40 million dollars in grants that are available through the new Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Program (S2). The funds are designed to assist Michigan municipalities with the necessary project planning and design of qualifying wastewater projects.

The grants would cover up to 90 percent of the eligible costs to complete a loan application, including project planning, project design, and development of a revenue system for the wastewater project. Some publicly owned non-point source projects also may qualify.

To reach as many communities as possible, each applicant municipality is limited to $1 million in total grant assistance, and the actual construction of the project eventually would have to be funded through the existing low-interest revolving loan programs - the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund (SWQIF).

“This program will further expand the DEQ’s ability to assist communities in making necessary improvements to their sewer infrastructure,” said Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester. “The results will better protect our environment, and give local communities the ability to fulfill future growth needs.”

A community receiving a grant will have up to three years to complete its planning and design work, and be ready to accept an SRF/SWQIF loan for construction of the project.

The SRF was created in 1989, and has been a highly successful tool in awarding low interest construction loans to Michigan communities. Over $2.3 billion dollars for 260 wastewater projects in municipalities large and small throughout Michigan has been awarded to date.

Applications are available on line at http://www.michigan.gov/deq, or from the DEQ Revolving Loan and Operator Certification Section at 517-373-2161.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised April 25, 2006 by Pat Watson