What does this program do?
This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.
Who may apply?
- Rurally located public bodies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Federally recognized tribes
- Applicants must show that a major decline in quantity or quality of water occurred within two years of the date of the application. Grants are also awarded when a significant decline in quality and quantity of water is imminent.
What kind of event can qualify as an emergency?
- Drought or flood
- Earthquake
- Tornado or hurricane
- Disease outbreak
- Chemical spill, leak or seepage
- Other disasters
NOTE: A federal disaster declaration is not required.
What is an eligible area?
- Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less -- check eligible addresses
- Tribal lands in rural areas
- Colonias
The area to be served must also have a median household income less-than the state's median household income for non-metropolitan areas. Contact your local RD office for details.
How may the funds be used?
- Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and address related maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply
- Water source grants up to $1,000,000 for the construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants, and/or other sources of water (water source up to and including the treatment plant)
Are matching funds required?
- Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private and nonprofit entities are encouraged
How do we get started?
- Applications for this program are accepted year round,
online through RD APPLY or through your local RD office. - Program resources are available online (forms, guidance, certifications, etc.).
Who can answer questions?
- Staff in your local RD office
- Participating nonprofit associations
What governs this program?
- Code of Federal Regulation, 7 CFR 1778
- Section 306A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
Why does USDA Rural Development do this?
This program helps prevent damage or restore households and business' access to clean, reliable drinking water in eligible rural areas and towns following natural disasters. Funding can improve the natural environment and encourage manufacturers and other businesses to locate or expand operations.
NOTE: Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application.
There are no other architect, engineering or environmental requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.
There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.
Nebraska State Office-Community Programs
Federal Building, Suite 308
100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-3859
402.437.5551 Phone
855.207.0384 FAX
Denise Meeks, Community Programs Director
402.437.5559
Ken Shaw, Community Programs Specialist
Mary Sneckenberg, Community Programs Specialist
402.437.5567
Lincoln Office
Federal Building, Suite 308
100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-3859
402.437.5551 Phone
855.207.0384 FAX
Luann Brown, Community Programs Specialist
402.437.5571
Natasha Byers, Community Programs Assistant
402.437.5553
Kim Le, Community Programs Loan Assistant
402.437.5734
Marshall Stephens, Loan Specialist
402.437.5732
Southeastern Service Counties: Butler, Cass, Clay, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Merrick, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Washington and York.
Norfolk Office
2601 Lakeridge Drive, Suite 2
Norfolk, Nebraska 68701
402.371.5350 Phone
855.207.0384 FAX
Anthony Guenther, Community Programs Specialist
Extension 120
Community Programs Loan Assistant
Extension 117
Northeast Service Counties: Antelope, Boone, Burt, Cedar, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Knox, Madison, Nance, Pierce, Platte, Stanton, Thurston, and Wayne.
Kearney Office
4009 6th Avenue
Kearney, Nebraska 68845-2386
308.455.9847 Phone
855.207.0384 FAX
Dave Fulton, Community Programs Specialist
308.455.9844
Kaleb Browning, Community Programs Loan Assistant
308-455.9838
Central Servicing Counties: Adams, Blaine, Boyd, Brown, Buffalo, Cherry, Custer, Dawson, Franklin, Furnas, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Greeley, Hall, Harlan, Holt, Hooker, Howard, Kearney, Keya Paha, Loup, Phelps, Rock, Sherman, Thomas, Valley, Webster and Wheeler.
North Platte Office
1202 S. Cottonwood, Suite 3
North Platte, Nebraska 69101
855.207.0384 FAX
Sara Pierce, Community Programs Specialist
308.221.3689
Western Servicing Counties: Arthur, Banner, Box Butte, Chase, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Dundy, Frontier, Garden, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Morrill, Perkins, Red Willow, Scottsbluff, Sheridan and Sioux.