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:
Federal FY2021/State FY2023 Funding Documents
MDE thanks everyone who submitted an application during the December 2020 - January 2021 solicitation. Applications will be reviewed, rated, and ranked over the next few months with intent to release draft Project Priority Lists and Intended Use Plans for public comment in June 2021.
Federal FY2020/State FY2022 Funding Documents
Please note: Notification emails were sent 9/16/20 - 9/17/20 for projects selected to receive FFY2020 Revolving Loan Fund. Official notifications regarding State FY 2022 grant funding will be made in late Spring 2021, following the close of the 2021 legislative session.
Federal FY2019/State FY2021 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 were sent in April 2020 for projects selected to receive State FY 2021 grant funding.
Federal FY2018/State FY2020 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.
NEW! Maryland Forest Financing Implementation Tool (MD FITT)
Maryland Forest Financing Implementation Tool (MD FFIT), is a calculator designed to assist MD local governments, counties, and their partners seeking loans to fund forestry efforts and earn restoration credits for permits. The video shows how MD FFIT can be used to review different implementation scenarios, evaluate how much a forestry project would cost, estimate how many MS4 credits and environmental co-benefits can be achieved. The slides in the video and a user guide are also below.
For additional infomation, please contact Michael Roberts at michael.roberts@maryland.gov.