California State Water Resources Control Board Grants

State Water Resources Control Board · $1–$15M

This program is open to California local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public utilities, state-recognized Native American tribes, and mutual water companies. The State Water Resources Control Board funds construction (and, for large-scale projects, planning and design) of recycled water treatment, storage, distribution, groundwater recharge, and related water-reuse infrastructure, with awards ranging from $1 up to $15 million. Operation and maintenance costs are not eligible, but all community types, including non-disadvantaged and disadvantaged, may apply. The application deadline is July 1, 2027.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in California; this state Cleanup and Abatement Account funds emergency responses to pollution or urgent drinking water needs when no responsible party is available to pay for cleanup. Funding priorities and availability depend on legislative appropriations, penalty/settlement funds, and loan repayments, so amounts vary and are not fixed. No specific award amount or deadline is listed.

State Water Resources Control Board · $1–$300K

Open only to local public agencies in California -- nonprofits, businesses, and individuals are not eligible. Funds planning studies (feasibility work, not construction) for recycled water treatment, storage, groundwater recharge, or indirect potable reuse projects, with awards from $1 to $300,000; operations and maintenance costs are not covered. All community types, including disadvantaged communities, may apply.

State Water Resources Control Board · $250K–$500K

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments operating public water systems in California can apply to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for planning support, covering costs like feasibility studies, engineering plans, and environmental review. Small disadvantaged community water systems can receive up to $500,000 in principal forgiveness/grant funding, while other systems may only qualify for loans with subsidized interest rates rather than outright grants; applications are accepted on a continuous basis with no fixed deadline.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to small businesses (fewer than 20 employees) in California that own or operate underground storage tanks (USTs) needing to comply with state upgrade, removal, or replacement requirements. Grants range from $3,000 to $70,000 (up to $210,000 for certain remote fueling stations), covering up to 100% of qualifying project costs. Eligibility is narrow: applicants must meet specific gasoline sales thresholds and compliance history requirements.

State Water Resources Control Board · $1–$1M

This California Orphan Site Cleanup Fund grant is limited to current property owners of eligible sites with unauthorized petroleum underground storage tank (UST) releases, covering assessment, investigation, and cleanup costs up to $1,000,000 per site. It is not open to nonprofits or the general public — only businesses and individuals who currently own the affected property qualify.

State Water Resources Control Board · $2M–$10M

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments operating public water systems in California, for construction of drinking water infrastructure like treatment facilities, storage, and distribution systems. Eligible community water systems may receive principal forgiveness (effectively grant funding) from $2 million up to 100% of project cost depending on the community served and local water rates; other financing carries 0% to roughly half the state bond rate. Applications are accepted continuously but undergo a detailed technical, legal, and financial review.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

A low-interest loan program (not a grant) for California small businesses (fewer than 500 employees) that own or operate underground storage tanks needing upgrades, removal, or replacement to meet state and federal standards. Loans range from $10,000 to $750,000 over 10- or 20-year terms, secured by business assets or real estate, with a 2% loan fee due at closing. Applicants must demonstrate ability to repay and provide adequate collateral.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to California local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public utilities, recognized Native American tribes, and mutual water companies for recycled water infrastructure projects (treatment, storage, groundwater recharge, potable reuse). Covers construction costs only — operation and maintenance are not eligible — and all community types, including disadvantaged communities, may apply. No specific award amount or deadline is listed; see the Water Recycling Funding Program guidelines for details.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits registered in California, public utilities, federally and non-federally recognized tribes, and mutual water companies. Funds construction (and in some cases planning/design) for recycled water treatment, storage, groundwater recharge, and surface water augmentation projects; operations and maintenance costs are not eligible. No specific award amount or deadline is listed, and all community types, including disadvantaged communities, may apply.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments, this California SAFER Program funding targets counties and their partners to build proactive regional programs addressing drinking water problems for households served by state small water systems and domestic wells. Funds are not awarded directly to individual households. No specific award amount or deadline is listed, and the geographic scope is limited to California.

State Water Resources Control Board · $1–$1M

California petroleum underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators — businesses and individuals — can apply for reimbursement of cleanup costs from leaking USTs, with grants up to $1,000,000 per site. This fund is not open to nonprofits or the general public; it is restricted to UST owners/operators meeting state financial-responsibility requirements.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in California operating or serving drinking water systems, with priority given to small disadvantaged communities facing water access or safety gaps. Up to $130 million per year is available over ten years (through fiscal year 2029-30) for emergency needs, compliance assistance, and system consolidation; complementary loan programs offer partial-to-full principal forgiveness for qualifying disadvantaged communities. No fixed per-project award amount is listed.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to cities, towns, public agencies, tribal governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits for wastewater treatment, sewer, stormwater, and nonpoint-source pollution projects in California. Offered as low-interest financing (roughly half the state's general obligation bond rate) with terms up to 30 years and no maximum funding limit; small disadvantaged communities may qualify for partial or full principal forgiveness (effectively grant funding). This is primarily a loan program, though DAC applicants can receive substantial grant-equivalent forgiveness.