HB-1-3550 

APPENDIX 6 

SECTION 306C WWD GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS 

I. GENERAL. This appendix sets forth the policies and procedures for making initial and 

subsequent Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) grants to individuals authorized by Section 

306C(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(c)), as amended. 

The objective of the Section 306C WWD individual grant program is to facilitate the use of 

community water and/or waste disposal systems by the residents of colonias along the 

U.S./Mexico border. WWD grants are processed similarly to Section 504 grants, except as 

modified by this appendix. 

II. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions apply to this appendix. 

 

(a) Colonia. Any identifiable community designated in writing by the State or 

county in which it is located; determined to be a colonia on the basis of objective criteria 

including lack of potable water supply, lack of adequate sewage systems, lack of decent, 

safe, and sanitary housing, and inadequate roads and drainage; and existed and was 

generally recognized as a colonia before October 1, 1989. 

 

(b) Individual. Resident of a colonia located in a rural area. 

 

(c) Rural areas. Includes unincorporated areas and any city or town with a 

population not in excess of 10,000 inhabitants according to the most recent decennial 

census of the United States. 

 

(d) System. A community or central water supply or waste disposal system. 

III. GRANT PURPOSES. Grant funds may be used to pay the reasonable costs for 

individuals to: 

 

(a) Extend service lines from the system to a residence; 

 

(b) Connect service lines to a residence’s plumbing; 

 

(c) Pay reasonable charges or fees for connecting to a system; 

 

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(d) Pay for necessary installation of plumbing and related fixtures within dwellings 

lacking such facilities (this is limited to one bath tub, sink, commode, kitchen sink, water 

heater, and outside spigot); and 

 

(e) Construct and/or partition off a portion of the dwelling for a bathroom, not to 

exceed 4.6 square meters (48 square feet) in size. 

IV. GRANT RESTRICTIONS

 

(a) Maximum grant

 

(1) Maximum grant to any individual for water service lines, connections, and/or 

construction of a bathroom is $3,500. 

 

(2) Maximum grant to any individual for sewer service lines, connections, and/or 

construction of a bathroom is $4,000. 

 

(3) Lifetime assistance to any individual for initial or subsequent Section 306C WWD grants 

may not exceed a cumulative total of $5,000. 

 

(4) Document the amount of assistance provided each grantee on a list of Section 306C 

WWD recipients and retain it in the office operational file. 

Maintenance of the list will permit destruction of closed Section 306C WWD assistance case 

folders as prescribed in §2033.10(b)(4)(i) of RD 

Instruction 2033-A. The list must include the following information recorded at the time a 

Section 306C WWD grant is made: 

 

 (i) Grantee name, address, and case number; 

 

 (ii) Name of co-grantees, if any; 

 

 (iii) Amount of the grant; and 

 

(iv) Date grant was made. 

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(b) Limitation on use of grant funds. Section 306C WWD grant funds may not be 

used to: 

 

(1) Pay any debt of obligation of the grantee other than obligations incurred 

 for items listed in Section III of this appendix; 

 

 (2) Pay individuals for their own labor; or 

 

(3) Pay costs that are not considered reasonable by the Agency.

V. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. Section 306C WWD applicants must meet the 

following requirements (applicants need not be age 62 or older): 

 

(a) Own a dwelling located in a colonia and must present evidence of ownership (see 

Chapter 12 for requirements). 

 

(b) Have a total taxable income based on the latest Federal income tax form from all 

individuals residing in the household that is below the most recent poverty income 

guidelines established by the Department of Health and Human Services; and 

 

(c) Must not be delinquent on any Federal debt. 

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Appendix 6, Page 3 of 3 

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Renumbered (03-15-19) PN 522