Frequent Questions

Announcement of Calculation of Tentative FY2005 Allotments for the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Territorial Set-Aside Program

1. What is the Territorial Set-Aside Grant Program?

The Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Territorial Set-Aside Program provides grant funds to improve the infrastructure of drinking water systems located in four US territories: the Virgin Islands; American Samoa; Guam; and the Northern Mariana Islands. It is a component of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. [see the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) §1452(j)]

2. How much funding is available?

It is anticipated that $2,756,300 would be available for FY2005. This is 0.33% (the maximum allowed by the SDWA) of the amount that we anticipate will be available for State programs.

3. How is the Grant Program administered?

All available program funds are allotted, by formula, among the four territories and provided to the appropriate EPA Regions. The Regional offices may directly make awards for projects, or they may award the funds to the government of one of the territories, which will then be responsible for making individual project awards.

4. How are the funds allotted among the four territories?

The funds set-aside each year are allotted, by formula, among the four territories, on the basis of territorial population (5%); territorial geographical area (2.5%); the number of community water systems and non-transient non-community water systems in the territory (14%); the number of transient non-community water systems in the territory (3.5%); and the “infrastructure needs” of the water systems in each territory as identified in the most current Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (75%). Each territory is guaranteed a minimum allotment which is the greater of $150,000 or 7.5% of the total funds available for the program. In addition, no territory’s allotment shall be less than 95% of its prior year allotment (if the total funds available allow).

5. What type of projects are eligible for funding?

Most projects that improve a community, or non-profit non-community, drinking water system are eligible to be funded with the territorial program funds. Some examples are projects to: rehabilitate or develop sources of drinking water; install or upgrade treatment facilities; install or upgrade storage facilities; install or replace transmission or distribution pipes; and replace aging water system infrastructure. Funds can also be used to conduct project feasibility studies, engineering design work, and project administration.

6. Why are the allotments called Tentative?

Actual funding is not yet available for FY2005. That won’t occur until EPA receives an appropriation. These allotments are based on the amount of funding that was requested in the federal budget for FY2005. They are intended to give the territories and EPA’s Regional offices a target amount and assist them with planning their FY2005 Programs.

7. Where can I get more information?

Information about the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Territorial Set-Aside Program, can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/dwsrf.html

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