The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG) program is a federal initiative managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. It is designed to help rural communities prepare for, or recover from, emergencies that threaten the availability of safe and reliable drinking water.
The program plays a critical role in supporting small towns, tribal lands, and nonprofit organizations in the aftermath of natural disasters, infrastructure failures, or other events that compromise water supply and quality.
Purpose and Objectives
The primary objective of ECWAG is to assist residents of rural areas who have experienced, or are at risk of, a significant decline in the quantity or quality of their water supply. The program aims to restore or maintain access to potable water that meets the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
By providing targeted financial support, ECWAG helps communities address urgent water needs, prevent health crises, and support local economic stability in the wake of emergencies.
Eligible Applicants and Areas
ECWAG is available to a specific set of applicants and regions:
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Eligible applicants include rurally located public bodies (such as states, counties, cities, and local government entities), nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes.
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Eligible areas are rural communities and towns with populations of 10,000 or fewer, tribal lands in rural areas, and colonias (rural settlements along the U.S.-Mexico border).
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The area must have a median household income below the state’s median for non-metropolitan areas.
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Applicants must demonstrate that a major decline in water quantity or quality occurred within two years of the application date, or that such a decline is imminent.
Qualifying Emergencies
Events that may trigger ECWAG eligibility include:
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Natural disasters such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
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Disease outbreaks affecting water safety.
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Chemical spills, leaks, or seepage that contaminate water sources.
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Other disasters that disrupt the availability or safety of drinking water.
A federal disaster declaration is not required for eligibility, allowing communities to access funds quickly in localized emergencies.
Grant Uses and Funding Structure
ECWAG funds are allocated for two main categories of projects:
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Water transmission line grants (up to $150,000): These are used to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and perform maintenance necessary to replenish or restore the water supply.
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Water source grants (up to $1,000,000): These support the construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants, or other water sources up to and including the treatment facility.
Funds may also be used for legal and engineering fees, environmental impact analyses, and acquiring rights associated with water development, treatment, storage, or distribution.
No matching funds are required, but partnerships with other federal, state, local, private, and nonprofit entities are encouraged to maximize the impact of the grant.
Application Process
Applications for ECWAG are accepted year-round and can be submitted online through the USDA’s RD Apply platform or directly to local USDA Rural Development offices.
The application must include documentation such as engineering reports, population and income data for the service area, and a description of the emergency affecting water supply. State-specific requirements may also apply, so applicants are encouraged to consult their state RD office before applying.
Program Impact and Importance
ECWAG is vital for rural resilience and public health. By restoring access to clean water after emergencies, the program helps prevent disease outbreaks, supports business continuity, and encourages economic development. It also improves the natural environment and can attract manufacturers and other businesses to rural areas by ensuring a reliable water supply.
Governance and Compliance
The program is governed by Section 306A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and 7 CFR 1778. It is designed to be flexible and responsive, with minimal national-level architectural, engineering, or environmental requirements, though state-specific rules may apply.
