Drinking Water Financial Opportunities

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program is a federal-state partnership that offers low-cost financing to political subdivisions (including counties, incorporated cities and towns, regional water or sewer districts), not-for-profit corporations providing a wholesale or regional water supply and investor-owned water utility corporations for the following types of projects:

• Treatment plants
• Transmission and distribution mains
• Supply sources (i.e., wells, interconnections and surface water intakes)
• Storage facilities
• Water security projects
• Purchase of reservoir water rights in order to meet drinking water health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act

Missouri gives priority to eligible projects that address the most serious risks to human health, ensure compliance with requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and assist systems most in need on a per-household basis, according to state-determined priority points system. Political subdivisions and not-for-profit wholesale or regional water suppliers receive first priority for funding. Applicants must demonstrate technical, managerial and financial capability to participate in the program.

The program features a fixed-rate loan with a standard interest rate that is 30% of the municipal market rate for loans with a term up to 20 years. Extended term loans may be available on a case-by-case basis. Partial grant funds may be made available for certain projects to offset a project's total loan amount based on project affordability or to connect a disadvantaged community.

The first step toward receiving Drinking Water SRF assistance is to submit an application form to the Financial Assistance Center. The department prioritizes available funding for and lists projects in the annual SRF Intended Use Plan. Once listed, a project coordinator assists the applicant with each step of the funding process.

The department makes SRF loan and grant commitments only once per year to eligible applicants who submit an application by March 1, with an engineering report and documentation of an acceptable debt instrument. The department also accepts applications throughout the year, and may make loan only commitments with quarterly amendments to the Intended Use Plan.

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program Success Stories page provides access to success stories related to drinking water funding. 

For more information, contact the Financial Assistance Center at 573- 751-1192 or fac@dnr.mo.gov and check out our Forms, Guidance & Plans tab.

Small Borrower Loans are available only to communities or public sewer or water districts of less than 1,000 population or service area. Qualifying entities may be considered for a direct loan for wastewater or drinking water system improvements for up to $100,000 with a maximum 20-year repayment term for small projects such as distribution line repair, pumps, plant repairs, purchase of back up generators, etc. To apply, fill out form Small Borrower Loan Application MO 780-2035.

Engineering Report Grants

Additional subsidization in the form of a grant is available through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) to assist small communities with engineering costs to plan for drinking water system improvements related to compliance and ability to provide safe drinking water.

Municipalities, counties, public sewer districts and public water districts with a population of fewer than 3,300 may apply. Larger systems developing a plan to serve a system with a population of 3,300 or less may also apply. The department offers this grant through a competitive, annual funding cycle. Eligible entities can submit a Drinking Water Engineering Report Grant Application MO 780-2912 at any time. 

The following links provide quick access to application and key forms and guidance related to drinking water funding opportunities for program participants.

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Applications and Guidance

• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Flier
• What to Expect from the State Revolving Fund Process
• Design Build Guidance for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• Guidance for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Affordability Grant Eligibility Evaluation
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Eligibility Handbook - EPA
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund User Charge Ordinance
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund User Ordinance
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund User Charge Methodology
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Application MO 780-1845
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Grant Eligibility Evaluation MO 780-3008
• Engineering Report Submittal Checklist Drinking Water State Revolving Fund MO 780-2091

Drinking Water Project Development Resources

• Construction Permit Application MO 780-0701
• Community Technical, Managerial and Financial Checklist for Existing Water Systems MO 780-2936

Small Borrower Loan Applications and Guidance

• Small Borrower Loan Program - PUB2306
• Small Borrower Loan Application MO 780-2035

Drinking Water Engineering Report Grant Applications and Guidance

• Drinking Water Engineering Report Grant Flier
• Drinking Water Engineering Report Grants - PUB2948
• Drinking Water Engineering Report Grant Application MO 780-2912

Engineering Procurement

• MO ACEC Qualifications Based Selection of Design Professional
  • Qualifications Based Selection - Important Information
  • Qualifications Based Selection State and Federal Law
  • Request for Proposals/ Request for Qualifications

Other Drinking Water Funding Resources

• Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee​​​​​​

  • Community Development Block Grant - CDBG Webinar Presentation 
  • Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee Proposal Submission Process

• Other

  • Infrastructure Funding Resources for Publicly Owned Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems