Water quality combined funding program
Our Water Quality Combined Funding Program is an integrated funding program for projects that improve and protect water quality throughout the state. The program combines grants and loans from state and federal funding sources (described on the Water Quality Grants and Loans home page). We also provide technical assistance to program applicants to help them navigate this process.
We have one combined funding cycle, one application, one competitive rating process, and one list of funding offers. Applicants submit just one application for all of the funding sources under the Water Quality Combined Funding 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 percent match required.
Applications are not being accepted at this time.
State fiscal year 2026 applications closed on October 15. Applicants submit one application, generally mid-August through mid-October each year. Depending on eligibility and priority, we award the best available funding from several different grants and loans (which could include a combination of grants and loans). Our funding comes from a mix of state and federal funds dedicated for water quality improvement and protection.
Current funding cycle timeline — Fiscal Year 2026
| Cycle phase | Timeline |
| Submit application | Aug. to Oct. 2024 |
| Applicant Workshops | Aug. 13 - 15 2024 (Registration links below) |
|
Evaluate, rate, and rank applications |
Oct. to Dec. 2024 |
| Publish proposed project list (Draft Funding List) | Jan. 2025 |
| Publish offered project list (Final Funding List) | July 2025 |
| Develop funding agreement | July 2025 through Jan. 2026 |
| Manage agreement/project |
Work starts no later than April 2026 Activities: Up to 3 years Facilities: Up to 5 years |
| Close out | Last three months of agreement |
Funding is available for the following entities:
- Counties, cities, and towns
- Tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Special purpose districts
- Conservation districts
- Nonprofit organizations (only those qualify for section 319 grants)
Detailed eligibility information for each project category is available in the Applicant Workshop presentations (see below) and the Funding Program Guidelines, Chapter 2.
- Wastewater facilities
- Planning, design, and construction for sewer collection systems, treatment plants, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and reclaimed water facilities.
- The Wastewater Funding Requirements webpage provides 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.
- This includes GROSS and CBP3 grants
- The Stormwater Funding Requirements webpage provides 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).
- The Nonpoint Funding Requirements webpage provides expectations and resources for funding recipients.
- Onsite sewage systems (OSS)
- Large onsite sewage systems planning, design and construction.
- OSS pollution identification and survey programs.
- Local loan programs for OSS repair and replacement.
- Composting toilet systems.
- The OSS Projects webpage provides more information for funding recipients.
More information about this funding program
- Current funding guidelines: state fiscal year 2026
- Sign up for our email list to receive guidelines, applicant, and recipient training information.
- Water Quality Grants & Loans homepage
Applicant Training Resources
We provide training annually by webinars in August. See below for the most current information (dates/times of current trainings or presentations of previous training). Each session will be lead by experts for the project type and will emphasize requirements and expectations.
Applicant workshop presentations (SFY26):
- Funding Programs Overview
- EAGL Overview and Mapping Information Form
- Wastewater projects
- Nonpoint/Onsite Sewage System projects
- Stormwater projects
Other useful materials
- Applicant prep tool (wastewater, nonpoint, and OSS projects)
- Applicant prep tool (stormwater projects, will be available with training presentations in mid-August)
- Application Scoring Criteria/Guidance
- Contact list for questions related to water quality grants and loans
Loan interest rates for the state fiscal year 2026:
- 30-year loans have a 2.7% interest rate
- 20-year loans have a 2.0% interest rate
- 5-year loans have a 1.0% interest rate
Final Projects - Fiscal year 2025
The projects in the offer list below applied for funding between August to October 2023. These projects would start no later than April 2025 and last 3-5 years depending on type.
- Final Offer List 2025 Funding Cycle
- Searchable spreadsheet of the Final Offer List
- Interactive Map
- News Release
Related links
Contact information
Eliza Keeley
Water Quality Combined Funding Planner
eliza.keeley@ecy.wa.gov
360-628-1976
Shelly McMurry
State Revolving Fund Coordinator
shelly.mcmurry@ecy.wa.gov
564-999-1649