USDA Rural Utilities Service has $163,475,000 grant funds available for repairs to drinking water systems and sewer and solid waste disposal systems impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, see the announcement here. Applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are exhausted.

What are the Disaster Grant amounts?
Grant amounts are based on Median Household Income (MHI) according to the American Community Survey (ACS) five-year data (2006-20 10).

• 100% Grant, if population served is less than the poverty or 80% of State MHI
• 75% Grant, if population served is more than 80% or less than 100% of State MHI
• 45% Grant, if population served is more than 100% of State MHI

Who is eligble for Disaster Grant?

Systems applying must be public entities. This includes municipalities, counties, special purpose districts, Native American Tribes and corporations not operated for profit, including cooperatives, with up to 50,000 population and rural areas with no population limits. Applying system must demonstrate:

• A financial hardship impact to its operations and customers as a result of repairs.
• That they possess the technical, managerial, and financial capability necessary to consistently comply with pertinent Federal and State laws and requirements.
• Be current on the repayment of all debts at the time they are due.

What Disaster Grant uses are eligible?

Grant funds may only be used to repair damages to drinking water systems or sewer and solid waste disposal systems caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, or Maria. If repairs to a system are not economically feasible or cost-effective due to the extent of the damage caused by a hurricane, USDA will consider replacement (as opposed to repair) on a case-by-case basis.

Reimbursement must be justified by a clear demonstration of financial hardship to the system or its customers due to the use of its own funds or commercial credit to make such repairs or replacement. For such repairs and replacements already made to restore service, grants may be awarded to reimburse applicants for expenses incurred by the applicant. These expenses must have been incurred within two years from the date of the covered hurricane.

There shall be no reimbursement for repairs or replacements made or financed through the use of other Federal funds - no double dipping.  more