Water and Environmental Programs

Household Water Well System      Grant Program

Application Deadline:  MAY 31, 2009

Notice of Funding Availability

HWWS Grant Application Guide

Federal Regulation, 7 CFR Part 1776

Grant Recipients in FY 2005-2008

The Household Water Well System (HWWS) Grant Program provides grants to qualified private non-profit organizations to establish lending programs for household water wells. Homeowners or eligible individuals may borrow money from an approved organization to construct or upgrade their private well systems.

For Private, Non-Profit Organizations

The USDA Rural Development will award grant funds to qualified private, non-profit organizations only. The approved organizations must set up a revolving loan program and provide low-interest loans to eligible individuals who own or will own a private well system. The loans may be used to construct, refurbish, and service an individual’s well system.

The non-profit organizations applying for the grant funds must contribute at least 10 percent of the HWWS grant to capitalize the revolving loan fund. The cost-sharing funds may be contributed from the applicants’ own resources or sources other than the proceeds of the HWWS grants. In-kind contributions will not be considered.

Available funds:  Subject to enactment of a final Appropriations bill for FY 2009

For Individuals

Individuals cannot receive grants. They must apply for loans through non-profit organizations that USDA Rural Development has approved to receive grant funds. The loan limit is $11,000 at 1 percent for 20 years. Application forms will be provided by the organization.

Completed Application

Non-profit organizations must submit the following items to make a complete application.

• Standard application forms
• A proposal
• A work plan
• A budget and budget justification
• Evidence of legal existence and legal authority to make loans
• A list of directors and officers
• Other specified information

Required Forms

The following forms must be included in the application:

• Standard Form 424, “Application for Federal Assistance”
• Standard Form 424A, “Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs”
• Standard Form 424B, “Assurances—Non-Construction Programs”
• Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activity”
• Form RD 400-1, “Equal Opportunity Agreement”
• Form RD 400-4, “Assurance Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964)

If you are not using www.grants.gov to apply for the program, the appropriate forms may be downloaded from this link.