The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided $686 million to North Carolina for projects aimed at improving drinking water, wastewater, and septic systems affected by Hurricane Helene. The funds are intended to enhance system resiliency and reduce risks from future storms. North Carolina’s Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting applications year-round for these projects.
Of the total funding, $409 million is designated for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF Helene) projects, while $253 million will go toward Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF Helene) projects. An additional $22 million from the CWSRF program is allocated specifically to strengthen the resilience of septic systems. These long-term loans are offered at zero percent interest, with principal forgiveness available for eligible applicants.
“Families across North Carolina should be able to turn on their faucets at home knowing their water is safe,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This DEQ announcement is a step forward in western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene, and I encourage local governments and businesses to apply for this funding to ensure safe and clean drinking water for their communities.”
“Hurricane Helene absolutely hammered drinking water, wastewater and septic systems throughout our mountains,” said Reid Wilson, DEQ Secretary. “We greatly appreciate the Environmental Protection Agency’s partnership in allocating $686 million to North Carolina, and we encourage communities whose systems were damaged by Helene to apply for funding to repair and upgrade their systems to make them more resilient to future storms.”
Funding is available for state revolving fund-eligible drinking water and clean water projects that focus on reducing flood risk at treatment works or increasing resilience against natural disasters. Local government units or nonprofit water/wastewater corporations impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply; investor-owned drinking water corporations may also seek DWSRF Helene funds.
Additional support targets decentralized wastewater (septic system) improvements in areas hit by Hurricane Helene. Eligible activities include repairing or replacing septic systems vulnerable to flooding or evaluating connections between decentralized homes and centralized wastewater treatment.
Local government units and nonprofits offering financing assistance for homeowners’ septic repairs are encouraged to apply as well.
Further details about the SRF Hurricane Helene funding—including application materials—are available on the Division of Water Infrastructure website: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure . Applications are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis. Other types of funding opportunities are also described online: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-need-funding .
Recently, the Division conducted training sessions about this funding opportunity in several locations including Clyde, Boone, Hickory, Raleigh, as well as a virtual session now posted online.
