Response to Emergency Situations Affecting Public Water Systems (SDWA 1442(b))

Objective

To assist in responding to and alleviating emergency situations affecting public water systems. Pursuant to Section 1442(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), this assistance program provides grant funding for projects and activities in emergency situations affecting public water systems that are necessary for preventing, limiting, or mitigating a substantial danger to public health and that would not be taken without this emergency assistance. Eligible applicants include States or publicly owned water systems where the Administrator has made an Emergency Determination under SDWA section 1442(b). Funding is anticipated to be for projects and activities that support SDWA compliance, including: (1) operations and maintenance of facilities; (2) building technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity; (3) debt relief; (4) meeting the requirements of federal enforcement actions, including emergency administrative orders; (5) establishing alternative sources of drinking water and/or; (6) making capital and managerial improvements, including planning, design and construction, as necessary, to return facilities to conditions in which publicly owned water systems can feasibly sustain their operations. In FY 2025 funding priorities will continue to be for projects and activities in emergency situations affecting public water systems that are necessary for preventing, limiting, or mitigating a substantial danger to public health.

Who Can Apply

• State
• Other

Assistance under this program is available to States and publicly owned Public Water Systems when EPA has made an Emergency Determination under SDWA Section 1442(b). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328, https://usepa.sharepoint.com/sites/TCCAB/Shared Documents/General/SDWA 1442b/Assistance Listing/OW - 66.489 Response to Emergency Situations Affecting Public Water Systems.finalclean.docx , appropriates disaster supplemental funding for technical assistance and grants under section 1442(b) of the SDWA ((42 U.S.C. 300j–1(b)), in areas where the President declared an emergency in August of fiscal year 2022 pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 5121 et seq.). The President’s emergency declaration dated August 30, 2022, applies to Hinds County, Mississippi, but was necessitated by the water crisis impacting the City of Jackson’s public water systems. Therefore, the City of Jackson’s public water systems (PWS ID No. MS0250008 and PWS ID No. MS0250012) are the nation’s only public water systems eligible for these funds. The American Relief Act, 2025, Public Law 118-158, appropriates disaster supplemental funding for necessary expenses to address water emergencies under section 1442(b) of the SDWA (42 U.S.C. 300j–1(b)) in States or territories in EPA Regions 3 and 4 impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Provided that funds may be used regardless of whether the emergency situation presents a substantial danger to public health; regardless of whether such grants will be used to support actions that would not otherwise be taken without emergency assistance; and funds may be provided to any appropriate recipient, as determined by the Administrator, to assist in responding to an emergency situation affecting a privately owned water system.

Who Benefits

• Other

Anyone served by a public water system experiencing an emergency situation.

Assistance Types

• Grant

Program Contact

james.ashley@epa.gov
202-564-0449