Last week my colleague Larry Van Hout published an in-depth article about how to navigate the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) funding process for water projects. There are various requirements and milestones along the way, which Larry clearly spells out in a handy road map graphic.

If your community is starting a drinking water project, Widseth can help you decide if a Drinking Water Revolving Loan from PFA will help you improve or replace your drinking water system. Everyone in your community deserves access to clean drinking water. Keep reading to learn more about the program, find out if you're eligible, and when applications are due.

1. Program & Description

Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF), also called the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

The Drinking Water Revolving Fund helps communities build drinking water supply, storage, treatment, and distribution systems to protect public health, provide adequate water supply, and assist with financial needs. 

2. Eligibility

Eligible applicants: cities, counties, townships, sanitary districts, or other governmental subdivisions responsible for providing public drinking water.

3. Type of Funding

The fund provides below-market-rate loans to upgrade and construct public drinking water systems. Loans are amortized up to a maximum of 20 years or up to 30 years if the average annual resident cost exceeds 1.2 percent of median household income. For projects that have a high financial need, the Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) can provide grants.

4. Application Process & Deadline

• Projects must be included on the Minnesota Department of Health's Project Priority List and the PFA's Intended Use Plan. Projects must be certified by the Minnesota Department of Health before the PFA may approve a loan. Applications with plans and specifications are accepted until March 30, 2021, for projects that meet these requirements.
• Applications accepted annually
• Drinking Water Revolving Fund Documents:
  • Approval Notice - 2021 CW and DW Intended Use Plans - Project Priority List, Amendment #1
  • 2021 DWRF Intended Use Plan - Project Priority List, Amendment #1

5. Funding Success

Widseth helped the City of Starbuck receive a loan of $2,411,776 from the Clean Water Revolving Fund (CWRF) and Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) for their water and wastewater infrastructure project. They will replace aging sanitary sewer and watermains in conjunction with a MnDOT project for Trunk Highways 28, 29, and 114. They will also rehabilitate two pump stations and replace a forcemain with the funds.

• Starbuck Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project