Please note updated deadlines for SIPP applications.
The next deadline to submit applications for SIPP funding is August 15, 2026.
Planning activities that promote sustainable water infrastructure may receive funding up to a maximum of $50,000 per project. Priority is given to systems that serve fewer than 300 service connections.
Program Overview
- Eligible applicants include community and nonprofit non-community public water systems.
- The SIPP program offers 100% forgivable loan awards to hire a third party to perform one of the eligible studies detailed below.
- Funding is disbursed on a reimbursement basis.
- Maximum funding amounts are dependent on project type and are specified below.
- Applicants may undertake up to two project types listed below under a single SIPP award. A system may only apply for a forgivable loan of up to $50,000 if the project includes one of the four applicable project types. Otherwise, the SIPP award may be up to a maximum of $20,000.
- A water system may be awarded SIPP funds once every three years.
- Exception can be made if Seismic SIPP funding is needed as part of a full master planning effort in the same 3-year period but may not result in two funding awards in a single year.
- A water system may only receive SIPP funds once for each eligible activity identified in the program overview document.
- Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis if funding allows.
- Water system must complete project within 2 years.
SIPP Program Guidelines
Eligible Projects
-
Feasibility Studies (maximum funding of $50,000) - studies to evaluate infrastructure project feasibility. Studies may also include the evaluation of resiliency measures and continuity of operations, including identification of needed infrastructure improvements.
-
Asset Management Plan (maximum funding of $20,000) - plan for managing water system infrastructure assets to ensure planned maintenance is conducted, and capital assets can be repaired, replaced, or upgraded on a scheduled basis to help prevent equipment failures and downtime.
-
System Partnership Studies (maximum funding of $50,000) - studies to evaluate the feasibility of system partnership such as consolidation, regionalization, system creation, or system extension.
-
Water Rate Studies (maximum funding of $20,000) - studies of water system rate charges, structure, and adequacy.
-
Leak Detection Studies (maximum funding of $20,000) - studies to detect water system leakage and identify possible solutions.
-
Security Risk, Vulnerability and/or Resiliency Studies (maximum funding of $20,000) - studies or assessments to evaluate the security, vulnerability, and/or resiliency of infrastructure and information technology/cybersecurity.
-
Water System Master Plan for water systems with < 300 connections (maximum funding of $50,000) - long-range plan to evaluate the needs of the water system and make recommendations for future improvements.
-
Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plans (maximum funding of $50,000) - creation of a Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan required by OHA as part of a full master plan submittal. Eligible systems are those with 300 to 3,300 connections.
- Must meet the Seismic planning requirements as outlined in OAR 333-061-0060(5)(a)(J).
-
For funding eligibility requirements and access to the earthquake sensitive area map, visit Seismic SIPP Details.
- Community Engagement Plans for Water Projects (maximum funding of $20,000) - a plan to meaningfully engage the community and provide suitable accesss to decision-making processes in planning for water projects.
Ineligible projects include activities related to construction and/or engineering/design, and activities related to ineligible project types listed under the infrastructure loan program.