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:
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 2020/State FY 2022 Funding Documents: WQFA thanks everyone who submitted applications during the December 2019 - January 2020 solicitation. Draft Project Priority Lists and Intended Use Plans for clean water and drinking water projects will be released for public comment in mid-May. Official notification of FFY 2020 Revolving Loan Fund will be made in ~October 2020; official notifiation of State FY 2022 grant funding will be made in ~May 2021.
FFY 2019/State FY 2021 Funding Documents
Please note: Notification letters were sent in early October 2019 for projects selected to receive Federal FY 2019 Revolving Loan Fund. Notification letters will be sent in ~May 2020 for projects selected to receive State FY 2021 grant funding.
FFY 2018/State FY 2020 Funding 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 and State FY 2020 grant funding have been made.
For Septic Grants:
Associated Documents:
For additional information, please call (410) 537-3119.