How to Find Funding for Service Line Inventories & Replacement Programs

Completing service line inventories and replacements are costly for water systems. However, there are resources to help cover costs. This article will walk you through where to start.

In December 2023, the EPA published  Funding Sources for Developing Service Line Inventories. This is a comprehensive guide outlining various programs available. Some highlights & additional information are below:

Federal BIL

  • Funding The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) allocates billions in funding to states for lead line identification and replacement. Each state received a set allocation - refer to each state's LCR/Inventory page for more information. 
  • Many states have established expedited funding initiatives to assist water systems with required inventory and replacement. 
  • BIL funding should be a top priority grant source to leverage.

DWSRF

  • The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) provides loans and grants for infrastructure projects. Review your state's Intended Use Plan to understand DWSRF allocation for lead inventories and replacement, especially for disadvantaged communities.

Additional Resources 

  • The State Revolving Fund (SRF) Switchboard website contains a map based view of funding sources and financing tools for water infrastructure projects. Their Funding Sources Directory allows you to filter by location and project type to identify options.

Reach out to your 120Water representative if you need help assessing funding approaches for your specific needs and budget. Securing resources for this critical work is essential.