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PHOENIX– The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) of Arizona announced today the release of a Request for Applications for infrastructure planning and/or design projects that will help prepare drinking water and wastewater utilities for capital improvements.Through its Planning and Design Technical Assistance Program, WIFA is offering awards of up to $35,000 per project for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects.
Total funding available for this funding cycle is $200,000 for drinking water projects and $100,000 for wastewater and stormwater projects. Eligible applicants include cities, towns, special districts, tribal entities, and private drinking water companies regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Some examples of the type of technical assistance projects WIFA funds are capital improvement plans, engineering reports and environmental assessments.
WIFA will give priority to projects that correct or prevent a public health or water quality concern, and “green” projects designed to improve water or energy efficiency or incorporate green stormwater infrastructure. Recipients are required to contribute a 40% match unless the project qualifies as green. WIFA will waive the match requirement for a green project
“Often we see that getting a project started is the biggest challenge for both small and large communities with limited budgets,” said WIFA Executive Director, Sandy Sutton. “We’re happy that WIFA can play a role in helping Arizona’s communities get their projects off the ground.”
Interested parties can apply online at www.azwifa.gov/application. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2015. WIFA will post funding awards on October 21, 2015. For more information on eligible projects, evaluation criteria, and program terms and conditions, please refer to the Request for Applications at www.azwifa.gov/technical-assistance-program.
Funding comes from Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds managed by WIFA for the state of Arizona. The Planning and Design Technical Assistance Program is designed to complement WIFA’s low-interest loan program, which is available year-round and funds construction, planning, design and acquisition of water and wastewater systems.
For more information on WIFA’s programs, please visit www.azwifa.gov.
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