Resources

  • Oregon Wastewater Planning Guide PDF

    • Oregon Administrative Rules

    Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS)

    Staff Contact

    Water/Wastewater Financing Program

    This loan program funds the design and construction of public infrastructure needed to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act or the Clean Water Act.

    Who Can Apply?

    The public entities that are eligible to apply for the program are:

    • cities;
    • counties;
    • county service districts (organized under ORS Chapter 451);
    • tribal councils;
    • ports; and
    • special districts as defined in ORS 198.010.

    Allowable Projects

    The proposed project must be owned and operated by a public entity as listed above. Allowable funded project activities may include:

    • reasonable costs for construction improvement or expansion of drinking water system, wastewater system or stormwater system;
    • water source, treatment, storage and distribution;
    • wastewater collection, treatment and disposal facitlites;
    • stormwater system;
    • purchase of rights of way and easements necessary for construction;
    • design and construction engineering; or
    • planning/technical assistance for small communities.

    To be eligible for funding:

    • a system must have received, or is likely to soon receive, a Notice of Non-Compliance by the appropriate regulatory agency or is for a facility plan or study required by a regulatory agency; and
    • a registered Professional Engineer will be responsible for the design and construction of the project.

    Funding and Uses

    Loan and grant amounts are determined by a financial analysis of the applicant's ability to afford a loan (debt capacity, repayment sources and other factors).

    Loans
    Program guidelines, project administration, loan terms and interest rates are similar to the Special Public Works Fund program. The maximum loan term is 25 years or the useful life of the infrastructure financed, whichever is less. The maximum loan amount is $10 million per project through a combination of direct and/or bond funded loans.

    Loans are generally repaid with utility revenues or voter approved bond issues. A limited tax general obligation pledge also may be required. "Credit worthy" borrowers may be funded through the sale of state revenue bonds.

    Grants
    Grant awards up to $750,000 may be awarded based on a financial review.

    An applicant is not eligible for grant funds if the applicant's annual median household income is equal or greater than 100 percent of the state average median household income for the same year.

    Funding for Technical Assistance
    The Infrastructure Finance Authority offers technical assistance financing for municipalities with populations of less than 15,000. The funds may be used to finance preliminary planning, engineering studies and economic investigations.

    Technical assistance projects must be in preparation for a construction project that is eligible and meets the established criteria.

    • Grants up to $20,000 may be awarded per project.
    • Loans up to $60,000 may be awarded per project.

    How and When to Apply

    Applications for funding are accepted year-round. The following outlines the steps in the application process:

    Step 1: Contact your Regional Development Officer. A Project Notification and Intake form will need to be completed.

    Step 2: Submit the Project Notification and Intake form. The IFA reviews the form to make sure eligibility for the funding program has been met.

    Step 3: Invitation to apply. The IFA will invite an applicant to apply based on the review of the Project Notification and Intake form.