Hawaii State Revolving Funds → Provides low-interest loans to county and state agencies for water pollution control projects. The CWSRF was created as a financial assistance program for a wide range of water infrastructure projects. States have the flexibility to fund a range of projects that address their highest priority water quality need. Using a combination of federal and state funds, state CWSRF programs provide loans to eligible recipients to:

• Construct municipal wastewater facilities

• Control nonpoint sources of pollution

• Build decentralized wastewater treatment systems

• Create green infrastructure projects

• ​Protect estuaries, and fund other water quality projects​

  
  Project eligibilities
  Types of assistance
  Webinars
  Apply for CWSRF assistance

Drinking Water State Revolving Funds → The State of Hawaii, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program was established by the 1997 State Legislature as the result of the 1996 Federal amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. This program currently provides low interest loans to Hawaii’s regulated water systems for the construction of drinking water infrastructure projects. These projects help achieve or maintain compliance with drinking water standards, protect public health and the environment.

DWSRF Hawai'i Specific Information:

• Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 11 Chapter 65 Environmental States Revolving Funds

• ​DWSRF Eligibility Handbook

• DWSRF Checklist

The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act →  Established a federal credit program administered by EPA for eligible water and wastewater infrastructure projects. WIFIA and the WIFIA implementation rule outline the eligibility and other requirements for prospective borrowers.

Eligible borrowers are:

• Local, state, and tribal government entities

• Partnerships and joint ventures

• Corporations and trusts

• Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs

Important Program Features

• $20 million: Minimum project size for large communities.

• $5 million: Minimum project size for small communities (population of 25,000 or less).

• 49 percent: Maximum portion of eligible project costs that WIFIA can fund.

• Total federal assistance may not exceed 80 percent of a project’s eligible costs.

• 35 years: Maximum final maturity date from substantial completion.

• 5 years: Maximum time that repayment may be deferred after substantial completion of the project.

• Interest rate will be equal to or greater than the U.S. Treasury rate of a similar maturity at the date of closing.

• Projects must be creditworthy and have a dedicated source of revenue.

Contact:
Karen Fligger
Email: wifia@epa.gov
​Phone: 202-564-2992

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Hawaii and Western Pacific | Rural Development → This USDA program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.
​
Areas that may be served include:

• Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less -- check eligible addresses

Types of funding: 

• Long-term, low-interest loans

• If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.

Contact:
State Offices | Rural Development 
​Chris Kanazawa, State Director
154 Waianuenue Ave. Suite 311
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 933-8380​​

​Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) → These funds may be utilized to address a wide variety of community needs, including construction or renovation of various infrastructure projects such as water & wastewater. The funds must be used for activities that either benefit low- and moderate-income persons or address community development needs that have a particular urgency.​

• Funding amounts vary based on demand and the projects that apply.

Contact:

• Mark Chandler

• Email: Mark.A.Chandler@hud.gov

• ​Phone: (808) 457-4678

​​U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 1132 Bishop Street Suite 1400 Honolulu, HI, 96813

​U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG) →
Helps rural communities respond to emergencies affecting drinking water quality or availability.
Funding available year-round, as long as appropriations exist.

• Grants up to $150,000 for repairs and $1,000,000 for new water sources.

• Eligible for rural areas with populations of 10,000 or fewer.

• Homeowners, Public bodies, and nonprofits may apply.

• Covers emergencies like drought, contamination, or natural disasters impacting drinking water

Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant → This helps qualified nonprofits and communities create a revolving loan fund to increase access to clean, reliable water and septic systems for households in eligible rural areas.  Grant funds may be used to help a nonprofit create a revolving loan fund for eligible individuals who own and occupy a home in an eligible rural area. The fund may be used to construct, refurbish, or service individually-owned household water well and septic systems.

• 1% fixed interest rate

•  20-year maximum term

• $15,000 maximum loan per household.

Public Works and Economic Adjustments Assistance Programs → Supports infrastructure and economic development projects that drive regional growth, job creation, and resilience through grant funding.

• ​Eligible projects include construction or improvement of public infrastructure such as water and wastewater systems, roads.

• Focuses on communities experiencing economic distress, including those impacted by natural disasters, job losses, or persistent poverty.

• Public Works Program emphasizes physical infrastructure to attract or expand businesses and create jobs.

• Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) offers flexible funding to help communities plan and implement strategies for economic resilience.

• Eligible applicants include nonprofits, counties, municipalities, and institutions of higher education.

• Matching funds typically required (generally 20–50%, but can be lower in distressed areas).

• Projects must align with a regionally approved Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

• Rolling application cycle with no specific deadline; funding decisions made on a continuing basis.

The USDA Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks program →Provides funding to improve access to safe drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in rural, low-income communities facing significant public health risks. Funding can be used to construct or improve drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, helping protect public health and the environment. Applications are accepted year-round.

Eligibility Requirements

• Federally recognized Tribes

• State and local governments serving eligible areas

• Nonprofit organizations serving eligible areas

• Eligible service areas must:

  • Be on federally recognized Tribal lands or in rural communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer

  • Serve residents experiencing significant health risks due to inadequate water or wastewater services

  • Serve a customer base that is at least 50% Tribal members

  • Meet USDA income and unemployment eligibility criteria

Hawaiʻi Contact Information

• USDA Rural Development – Hawaiʻi & Western Pacific State Office

• Phone: (808) 933-8380

• Community Programs Director: Alton Kimura – (808) 933-8308 | Alton.Kimura@usda.gov

• Office Address: 154 Waianuenue Ave., Room 311, Hilo, HI 96720-2452

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (FEMA) → Provides funding to state, county, and certain nonprofit organizations following a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to reduce long-term risks from natural hazards. In Hawaiʻi, HMGP can support projects that improve the resilience of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, including backup power systems, flood protection, erosion control, stormwater improvements, and other measures that reduce future damage to critical facilities. A 25% non-federal match (cash or in-kind) is generally required.

Eligibility Requirements

• State and county government agencies

• Certain private nonprofit organizations (HMGP only)

• Individuals and businesses are not eligible to apply directly, but may participate through sponsorship by an eligible state or county agency

• Projects must:

  • Reduce long-term disaster risk from natural hazards

  • Be cost-effective and technically feasible

  • Align with FEMA-approved State and County Hazard Mitigation Plans

Hawaiʻi Contact Information

• Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) – Hazard Mitigation Team

• Phone: (808) 733-4300

• Email: hazardmitigationgrants@hawaii.gov