Water quality combined funding program
The Water Quality Combined Funding Program funds projects that improve and protect water quality throughout Washington. The program combines grants and loans from state and federal funding sources. Applicants will receive technical assistance for help navigating the funding process.
The Water Quality Combined Funding Program uses one funding cycle, one application, one competitive review, and one list of funding offers. Applicants only need to submit one application to be considered for all available funding sources in the program.
Funding cycle
- Amount of funding available: Varies based on the state budget — ranges from $100 million to $200 million annually
- Grant award limit: Varies depending on funding source and project type. See the current funding year guidelines below for more information
- Amount of matching funds required: Depends on the funding source you receive; can be up to 25% match required.
Applications are currently being accepted.
Applications for state fiscal year 2028 must be submitted before 5 p.m. sharp on Sept. 30, 2026.
Funding cycle timeline for state fiscal year 2028
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Applicant workshops | Aug. 4-6, 2026 |
| Submit application | Aug. 11, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
|
Evaluate, rate, and rank applications |
Oct. 2026 – Dec. 2026 |
| Publish draft offer list | Jan. 2027 |
| Publish final offer list Begin agreement development |
July 2027 |
Funding is available for the following entities:
- Counties, cities, and towns
- Tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Special purpose districts
- Conservation districts
- Nonprofit organizations (only those that qualify for section 319 grants)
Find detailed eligibility information for each project category in the applicant workshop presentations (see below) and the funding guidelines, Chapter 2.
- Wastewater facilities
- Planning, design, and construction for sewer collection systems, treatment plants, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and reclaimed water facilities
- Wastewater funding requirements provide expectations and resources for funding recipients.
- Stormwater facilities and activities
- Planning, design, and construction for urban runoff flow control and treatment facilities
- Pollutant source control programs, enhanced maintenance planning, and implementation
- GROSS and community-based public-private partnership program grants
- Stormwater funding requirements provide expectations and resources for funding recipients.
- Nonpoint activities
- All nonpoint projects must implement an element of a state or local water quality-focused plan, such as a watershed management plan, nonpoint source pollution control plan, Salmon Recovery Plan, Orca Recovery Plan, or Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL)/Straight to Implementation (STI).
- Nonpoint funding requirements provides expectations and resources for funding recipients.
- Onsite sewage systems (OSS)
- Planning, design, and construction of large onsite sewage systems
- OSS pollution identification and survey programs
- Local loan programs for OSS repair and replacement
- Composting toilet systems
- On-site sewage system projects provides more information for funding recipients.
More information about this funding program
- Funding guidelines: state fiscal year 2028
- Sign up for our email list to receive guidelines, applicant, and recipient training information.
- Water quality grants and loans
Applicant prep tools
- Applicant prep tool and scoring criteria/guidance (wastewater, nonpoint, and OSS projects)
- Applicant prep tool and scoring criteria/guidance (stormwater projects)
- Contact list for questions related to water quality grants and loans
Applicant workshop presentations from August 2026
- Nonpoint/on-site sewage system applicant workshop presentation
- Wastewater applicant workshop presentation
- Stormwater applicant workshop presentation
- EAGL presentation
- Water Quality Combined Funding overview
Loan interest rates for state fiscal year 2028
The following interest rates will apply to most projects:
- 5-year loans have a 1.4% interest rate
- 20-year loans have a 2.8% interest rate
- 30-year loans have a 3.7% interest rate
Related links
Contact information
Karen Izumoto
Water Quality Combined Funding Planner
karen.izumoto@ecy.wa.gov
360-628-1976
Shelly McMurry
State Revolving Fund Coordinator
shelly.mcmurry@ecy.wa.gov
564-999-1649