Grant Assistance: How Maryland Entities Can Secure Funding for LCR Compliance

Why Grant Assistance is Essential for Compliance

The scale of these obligations often strains local budgets, especially for smaller communities or utilities serving disadvantaged areas. The EPA estimates that the nationwide cost of replacing lead service lines alone could reach $46-$90 billion over the next decade. These financial pressures can be prohibitive, potentially delaying critical upgrades and compromising public health protections.

Grant funding emerges as an essential resource for alleviating these financial burdens. By accessing federal, state, and specialized grant programs, entities can significantly offset the cost of compliance measures. Grants reduce the direct financial impact and accelerate project timelines, ensuring faster and more effective compliance with regulatory mandates.

Overview of Maryland Grant & Funding Opportunities

Maryland entities facing compliance obligations under the LCR, LCRR, and LCRI have several significant grant and funding opportunities available to support critical infrastructure projects. These programs provide essential financial assistance, enabling communities to address lead contamination concerns more effectively.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Funding

Signed into law on November 15, 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), represents a landmark federal investment aimed at revitalizing America’s infrastructure. With a $1.2 trillion budget, the BIL allocates $55 billion specifically to water infrastructure projects through the Environmental Protection Agency. This includes funding for drinking water improvements such as the replacement of lead service lines and addressing contaminants like lead and copper.

Maryland is receiving significant funding from the BIL, primarily distributed through the state-administered Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). These resources are accessible to municipalities, utilities, and water providers looking to finance infrastructure projects related to lead service line replacements, treatment system upgrades, and other compliance measures.

Maryland State Revolving Fund (SRF) Programs

Administered by the Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration (WIFA), the Maryland State Revolving Fund provides low-interest financing for water quality and drinking water infrastructure projects. Maryland’s SRF programs include two primary funds:

• Clean Water SRF: Targets wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and flood mitigation projects.
• Drinking Water SRF: Funds improvements directly tied to safe drinking water infrastructure, including lead service line inventories, replacements, and related system upgrades.

Eligible applicants include public entities, municipally owned water systems, and certain privately owned community water systems. Projects must align with priority funding areas and approved county water and sewer plans. The SRF loans feature below-market interest rates and favorable repayment terms, particularly benefiting disadvantaged communities. Applications are accepted annually from December 1 through January 31 via the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act

The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, enacted in 2016, established targeted federal grant programs designed to support small, underserved, and disadvantaged communities with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) compliance. A crucial component, the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) Grant, provides non-competitive funding to states, including Maryland, to enhance drinking water infrastructure, tackle lead contamination, and improve the overall capacity of local water systems.

Additionally, the WIIN Act includes competitive grants focused specifically on lead reduction efforts, prioritizing disadvantaged communities and facilities such as schools and childcare centers with historically high lead levels. These grants represent an essential source of funding for communities struggling with aging infrastructure and limited resources.

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Grants

The Maryland Department of the Environment administers various state-specific grants designed to improve water quality and address drinking water infrastructure needs. Several of these programs are particularly relevant to entities tackling lead service line replacements and other compliance-related projects:

• Water Supply Program: Supports small, disadvantaged, or non-compliant water systems with infrastructure improvements.
• Sewerage Facilities Supplemental Assistance Program: Provides financial support to disadvantaged communities facing significant public health or water quality challenges.
• Bay Restoration Fund & Biological Nutrient Removal Cost-Share Program: Fund projects aimed at enhancing water quality, with potential overlap in infrastructure improvements related to lead reduction efforts.

The MDE accepts applications annually from December 1 through January 31, making planning ahead critical for securing funding.

How Juno Maps Supports Maryland Entities

Navigating the complex landscape of grant applications and securing funding for LCR, LCRR, and LCRI obligations can be challenging, especially for entities without dedicated grant management expertise. Juno Maps provides specialized services designed to simplify and optimize the grant-seeking process, significantly increasing the likelihood of securing crucial financial resources.

Grant Writing & Application Assistance

One of the primary challenges municipalities and water utilities face when applying for grants is developing compelling applications. Juno Maps offers comprehensive grant-writing support, crafting detailed, competitive proposals tailored to meet Maryland’s stringent application criteria.

By leveraging extensive experience with state and federal grant processes, Juno Maps ensures that applications are accurate, meet essential deadlines, and maximize opportunities for funding success.

Identifying Available Funding Opportunities

Understanding eligibility criteria and aligning infrastructure projects with appropriate funding programs can be complex. We help entities clearly identify which grants and loan programs best match their specific compliance goals, including:

• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding via Maryland’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
• Maryland State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans for drinking water projects
• WIIN Act grants, especially focused on small or disadvantaged communities
• Specialized Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) grants designed explicitly for lead service line inventories and replacements

Application Navigation and Submission

Completing and submitting grant applications involves detailed processes, stringent timelines, and extensive documentation requirements. Juno Maps guides entities step-by-step through Maryland’s funding application procedures, ensuring compliance with all regulations and requirements. This support extends from initial application preparation to final submission, significantly alleviating the administrative burden and complexity of securing grant funding.

Specialized Focus on Lead Service Line Projects

With dedicated expertise in lead service line inventories, replacements, and compliance with EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule requirements, we’re uniquely positioned to support entities pursuing targeted funding opportunities. Our expert knowledge of lead-specific infrastructure improvements enhances the quality and competitiveness of grant applications, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and funding priorities.

Secure Your Funding and Protect Your Community’s Drinking Water

Proactively addressing compliance obligations under the EPA’s LCR, LCRR, and LCRI is essential for protecting public health, maintaining regulatory compliance, and enhancing community well-being. Accessing available grant funding opportunities reduces financial stress and accelerates necessary infrastructure upgrades that directly improve water quality.

Juno Maps provides expert guidance and comprehensive grant assistance, empowering Maryland municipalities, water utilities, and rural water systems to maximize available resources. With a dedicated team focused on navigating complex grant applications, identifying strategic funding opportunities, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements, Juno Maps simplifies what is often an overwhelming process.

If your entity is seeking funding support for lead service line projects, regulatory compliance, or related infrastructure upgrades, reach out to us today. Learn how our specialized expertise can help secure critical resources to effectively meet your obligations and protect your community’s drinking water quality.