Financial Assistance

FY 2011 Small Systems Compliance Grant Program

The Small Systems Compliance Grant (SSCG) program is a new opportunity for small community water supplies (small systems) that are in noncompliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and state drinking water requirements, to receive funding from the Illinois EPA to construct projects that will remedy system deficiencies and bring them back into compliance.

A community water supply is eligible for SSCG funding if it meets the “small system” definition (i.e., one that serves 100 service connections or less, or has less than 400 people), and:

1. has an unresolved Violation Notice; or
2. has a Compliance Commitment Agreement for noncompliance with Illinois EPA standards; or
3. is on the Illinois EPA’s Division of Public Water Supplies Restricted Status list.

The total amount of funding available under the SSCG is $2 million. The amount of funds available for any one compliance project may range from $10,000 to $200,000, and will cover 100 percent of the eligible compliance project cost. The Illinois EPA will disburse funds to the applicant upon execution of the grant agreement (preceding construction), based on the applicant’s detailed budget, to ensure that all work can be completed in a timely fashion.

The following guidelines apply under the SSCG program:

• Applications must be received no later than April 30, 2011.
• Priority will be given to SSCG applicants based upon the population served by the system, income of the area served, and the severity of the violation.
• The SSCG funds will cover eligible costs, including equipment, construction, and design and construction engineering necessary to resolve the compliance issues as specified in the Violation Notice or as noted on the Restricted Status list.
• Projects must be completed within 180 days from the execution of the grant agreement.
• The grant recipient will complete a Project Certification detailing how SSCG funds were expended to resolve the Violation Notice or Restricted Status compliance issue.
• The grant recipient, contractor, subcontractor, and engineer must follow all terms and conditions of the grant agreement as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

SSCG Application

SSCG Fact Sheet

For questions, please contact Jerry Kuhn of the DPWS/Permit Section at 217/782-1724,
Michelle Dickson of the DPWS/Permit Section at 217/782-4697, or
Andrea Rhodes of the DPWS/Compliance Section at 217/785-0561.