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Water Quality Financing Administration

 
 

Purpose and Mission

The mission of the Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration (WQFA) is to provide financial assistance in the form of low interest rate loans and/or grant funding for clean water and drinking water capital projects across the State. 

Eligible types of projects include:

  • Water quality point source projects
  • Drinking water projects
  • Non-point source pollution control projects
  • Septic system upgrade projects  

The WQFA administers the loan and grant programs described below:
  

Financial Program

Purpose

Water Quality Revolving Loan Program (WQRLF)

Provides low-interest loans to local governments to finance wastewater treatment plant upgrades, nonpoint source projects, and other water quality and public health improvement projects.

Drinking Water Revolving Loan Program (DWRLF)

Provides low-interest loans to local governments to finance water supply improvements and upgrades.

Water Supply Assistance Grant Program

Helping communities meet their water supply needs.

Bay Restoration Fund Wastewater Grant Program 

  • ENR upgrade at major or minor wastewater treatment plants.
  • Improvements to existing wastewater conveyance systems.
  • Sewer extensions to connect homes on septic systems to a BNR/ENR wastewater treatment plant.
  • Nutrient-reducing BAT shared community septic systems. 
  • Stormwater (MS4) projects by local governments

Bay Restoration Fund - Septic System Grant Program

Upgrades of existing septic systems to best available technology for nitrogen reduction to the Bay.

Linked Deposit Program

Water quality capital improvements


Both loan programs receive federal funding from  the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and offer below market interest rate loans to eligible borrowers, while ensuring the perpetuity of the revolving funds.

The WQFA is authorized to issue revenue bonds subject to approval of the State Board of Public Works and Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment.  Bonds issued by the WQFA do not constitute a debt or the full faith and credit pledge of the State or any political subdivision.  The bonds are paid solely from WQFA revenues as pledged under the bond indenture for each of the above Funds.

The WQFA works very closely with MDE’s Engineering and Capital Projects Program (ECPP, formerly the Water Quality Infrastructure Program).  The ECPP is responsible for the development and implementation of capital projects to correct public health and water quality problems and provides restoration measures that lead to water quality and habitat benefits.  The ECPP provides technical assistance to local government and eligible private entities.

Reports:

FFY 2018/State FY 2020 Documents

Final FFY2018/State FY2020 Clean Water Project Priority List
Final FFY2018 Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan Table 1
Final FFY2018 Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan Document
Final FFY2018/State FY2020 Drinking Water Project Priority List
Final FFY2018 Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan Table 1
Final FFY2018 Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan Document
Public Hearing Responsiveness Summary for the FFY2018/State FY2020 IUPs and PPLs 

Please note: 
  • Official notifications regarding projects selected to receive Federal FY 2018 Revolving Loan Fund financing will be made September/October 2018.
  • Official notifications regarding projects selected receive State FY 2020 grant funds will not be made until late Spring 2019.  

FFY 2017/State FY 2019 Final EPA-Approved Funding Documents 

 
Final FFY 2017/State FY 2019 Clean Water Project Priority List - amended 1/3/18
Final FFY 2017 Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan Table 1
Public Hearing Responsiveness Summary for the FFY 2017/State FY 2019 IUPs and PPLs 
 
Please note: 
  • Official notifications regarding projects selected to receive Federal FY 2017 Revolving Loan Fund financing have been made.
  • Official notifications regarding projects selected receive State FY 2019 grant funds have been made.  
FFY 2016/State FY 2018 Final EPA-Approved Funding Documents
 
Final FFY 2016/State FY 2018 Clean Water Project Priority List
Final FFY 2016 Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan Document
 
Please note:  Official notifications regarding projects selected to receive Federal FY 2016 Revolving Loan Fund and State FY 2018 grant funding have been made.
 
For Septic Grants:

Associated Documents:

 

For additional information, please call (410) 537-3119.

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