Proposition 68 Groundwater Treatment and Remediation Grant Program – SDAC Solicitation

Purpose

This program funds treatment and remediation activities, specifically operations and maintenance of existing facilities, that prevent or reduce the contamination of groundwater that serves as a source of drinking water. **** This active solicitation is only for projects serving severely disadvantaged communities (SDACs). Before applying, please contact program staff at gwquality.funding@waterboards.ca.gov to confirm SDAC eligibility.****

Description

The general solicitation for this program closed on January 24, 2020. There was not adequate demand to award the $16 million SDAC set-aside. This second solicitation, specifically for SDAC projects, has been significantly streamlined. The goal is to collect enough information for program staff to evaluate project eligibility. After reviewing submitted information and identifying eligible projects, program staff will work directly with the eligible applicant to collect additional documentation necessary to award funds. New infrastructure projects will generally be directed to other grant programs as this funding is intended primarily for operations and maintenance of existing facilities that prevent or reduce contamination of groundwater. Existing facility types that could be eligible include, for example: well head treatment, groundwater extraction and treatment systems, centralized groundwater treatment systems, and source area cleanup activities. O&M costs eligible for funding may include, for example: permitting, monitoring, reporting, utility bills, chemicals, equipment change out, plant operator costs. The contamination being treated by the existing facility must result from a discharge of waste and must exceed the maximum contaminant level or notification level. Additionally, the existing treatment and remediation system must prevent or reduce contamination of groundwater. Applicants should be able to explain the background of the area and possible sources of contamination. Applicants should also have enough data to determine the approximate nature and extent of contamination and demonstrate how operation of the existing treatment and remediation facilities contributes to reducing, or preventing the spread of, contamination in groundwater. Proposition 68 funds cannot be used to pay for any share of costs recovered from responsible parties.