Funds are available to public entities, such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, and Indian tribes. Priority will be given to public entities in areas with less than 5,500 people to restore a deteriorating water supply, or to improve, enlarge, or modify a water facility or an inadequate waste facility. Also, preference will be given to requests which involve the merging of small facilities and those serving low-income communities. Reduce water and waste disposal costs to a reasonable level for users of the system. Grants may be made, in some instances, up to 75 percent of eligible project costs.
Eligible applicants are the same as for loans.
The assistance is available in areas and towns with a population of 10,000 or less. The assistance is provided at no charge and may be requested by officials of rural water systems or by Rural Development personnel. If financing is provided, the RUS will also make periodic inspections to monitor project construction.