Eligibilities

What is eligibility?

To receive loan funding, the borrower, the project and the expenses must all be appropriate and acceptable as defined by program rules under OAR 340-054. If you are unsure whether your organization or project qualifies, please complete a Loan Information Request Form.

Eligible borrowers

"Public agency" in this program is defined by OAR 340-054-0010 and ORS 468.423. This includes: federally recognized tribal governments, cities, counties, sanitary districts, soil and water conservation districts, irrigation districts, various special districts, certain intergovernmental entities.

Eligible projects

In Oregon, activities must enhance, protect, or restore water quality. (OAR 340-054-0005). Per federal guidance, projects must meet one of the eleven eligibility categories established under Section 603(c) of the Clean Water Act. More details are available in the EPA Overview of Clean Water State Revolving Fund Eligibilities.

Eligible projects are not the same as application type. For more information about each application, see the specific pages below.

Planning documents required for any the project types below maybe eligible for funding. See the following for more information.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund Planning Document Fact Sheet

Collection/sewer system improvements

Planning for or installing new, upgrading or replacing old or failing or outdated wastewater piping and collection throughout a community. This type also overlaps with infiltration and inflow projects

Point source examples:

Extending new sewer lines into neighborhoods
Replacing broken or outdated sewer pipes
Cure in place pipe repair to extend useful life of current sewer

Construction

Installation, expansion, improvement, or removal of infrastructure that enhances, protects or restores water quality

Point source examples: Installing, expanding or improving wastewater or regulated stormwater facility, or demolishing an obsolete facility
Nonpoint source examples: Irrigation modernization, culvert removal, riparian restoration

Drinking Water Source Protection

Planning for and protecting the drinking water sources

This does NOT include drinking water treatment or infrastructure.

Planning example:

Source water protection plan

Equipment replacement/repair

Replacing or repairing outdated treatment equipment to improve wastewater quality results and sustainability of wastewater operations
If this project has long lead time large equipment costs, contact program staff.

Point source examples:

Replacing secondary clarifier at existing plant
Purchasing a new vacuum truck

Green infrastructure

Preservation, restoration, or reducing impervious surfaces in watersheds, or practices such as bioretention, trees instead of mechanical or chemical treatment options

See the Green project Eligibility Guidelines for more information.

Nonpoint source examples:

Using wetlands for effluent treatment
Riparian restoration to reduce instream temperatures
Trees wells on urban streets for stormwater runoff treatment

Inflow and infiltration

Planning and repairing collection systems to reduce rainwater or other runoff from entering the collections system

Planning example:

Inflow and infiltration reduction study

Point source examples:

Fixing leaking maintenance holes
Slip lining pipes
Pipe bursting

Land acquisition

Purchase of a permanent interest in land such as fee title or conservation easement or long-term leases to protect water quality benefits

Point source examples:

Purchasing neighboring wetlands parcel as plant effluent treatment location
Purchase fee title of property for new treatment plant

Nonpoint source examples:

Purchase fee title of drinking water source property
Long term lease or conservation easement on riparian property enrolled in water quality trading program

Septic (decentralized wastewater) repair/replacement

Replacement or repair of a malfunctioning system; one of the most common methods of sewage treatment for homes and businesses that are not connected to an area wide sewage system.

Please contact staff with questions about the Local Community Loan opportunity.

Special planning and protected area enhancements
A project that will directly benefit water quality in a designated area or help to implement adopted improvement plans such as total Maximum Daily Loads, etc.

Stormwater
Generally, these are nonpoint source, except in municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) communities where they are point source projects. Similar projects may be categorized by the program as point source in one community and nonpoint source in a different community. Please contact staff with questions.

Sustainability

Incorporating practices for operating and managing a wastewater treatment facility to conserve energy and water.

See the Green Project Eligibility Guidelines for more information.

Examples as part of a point source wastewater treatment plant upgrade:

Installing more efficient UV bulbs in disinfection units
Replacing older equipment with Energy Star rated equipment
Adopting water reuse or water conservation plans for treated effluent.
Solar projects to help offset energy consumption

Eligible expenses

Expenses must be directly related to accomplishing water quality improvement goals and fall within the project described in the application.

Timing

ONLY expenses incurred AFTER the date on the completed and signed application are allowed, and
Expenses may only be requested AFTER the loan agreement is signed.

Reimbursement basis

Loan funds are paid on a reimbursement basis, meaning the borrower must pay project costs or costs must be incurred before requesting payment from the program. If this project has long lead times and/or large equipment costs, contact program staff.

Eligible expense types

Contact

For assistance, view the contacts on DEQ's Clean Water State Revolving Fund home page.