U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program
Key facts
- Open now
- None right now
- Closed for this year
- 1 grant, next round estimated
- Type of help
- Project grant
- Typical award
- $239,233 to $2,000,000. Avg. $666,071.
Closed for this year
This year's round is over. GrantMe estimated the next round from last year's dates.
- Rural Decentralized Water System Grant Program · Next round: about Jul 28 – Sep 30, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
What it pays for
To make grants to private, nonprofit organizations to finance the construction, refurbishing and servicing of individually-owned household water well and/or wastewater systems in rural areas for individuals with low or moderate income.
Who can apply
An applicant must be a private organization, organized as a non-profit corporation. The applicant must have the legal capacity and authority to perform the obligations of the grant. The applicant must have sufficient expertise and experience in lending activities and promoting the safe and productive use of individually-owned household water well systems and ground water.
How applications are judged
RUS assistance for grant projects will be directed toward truly rural areas and rural communities. Considerations for available funds emphasize such criteria as population, low income, unemployment; health and sanitary problems. RUS financed facilities will not be inconsistent with any development plans of the State, multi-jurisdictional area, county, or municipality in which the proposed project is located.
Match
Applicants must provide funds from sources other than the HWWS grant. The required match must be at least 10 percent of the HWWS grant.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal year 2025: Funding used to establish a revolving loan fund to provide low interest loans to homeowners that will be used to repair or replace failing private water wells or wastewater systems.
Project used funding to increase potable water availability and safe wastewater systems to low-income households in eligible high-need rural counties across America.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
1 award to Tennessee groups since 2024 · 0 in Rhea County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| State of Tennessee | Nashville | $179K spent that year | 2025 |
Source: Federal Audit Clearinghouse.