It is that time of year again! The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Financial Assistance Program has mailed surveys to all wastewater entities asking for information to identify and document financial need across the state. This information will be used to develop funding Eligibility Lists for the grant and loans programs administered by this agency.

To be considered for funding, your project(s) must be identified on the current year’s funding Eligibility List. If you do not receive a copy by mail or if you would like to submit the information electronically, a survey can be found at www.cwrpda.com under Programs, then Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (click on 2005 Eligibility Survey), or contact Kris McCracken at kris.mccracken@state.co.us. Electronic or hard copies also can be obtained by calling Kris McCracken at (303) 692-3594. The submission deadline for Eligibility Surveys is April 15, 2004.

The Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund provides low interest loans for construction of wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source projects. Loans generally are 80% of market rate for 20 years. The Financial Assistance Program has executed loans with interest rates as low as 3.03%. Eligibility to participate in the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund program is limited to governmental agencies.

In the past, the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Grant Program has provided financial assistance to entities that serve populations of not more than 5,000. Due to the state’s budget shortfall, no grant funds were appropriated for FY 2004. Future grant funding will be dependent upon an appropriation from the state legislature. However, to document the need for funding of the grant program, your response is needed.

Eligible Entities include: Municipalities, Water and Sanitation Districts, Sanitation Districts, Water Districts, Metropolitan Districts and Improvement Districts.

Other state and federal funding agencies, including the USDA Rural Development and Department of Local Affairs, also use the information obtained in this survey to verify project needs. In addition to providing information for the funding Eligibility Lists, the data from this survey will be used in the 2004 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey submitted to the U.S. Congress every four years. This report documents the state and national cost estimates for compliance with the Clean Water Act. A thorough and accurate identification of water quality needs also may improve the share of federal funds that Colorado receives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in future years to capitalize its revolving funds.

Please complete a survey to ensure funding eligibility and assist the program with accurately documenting the water quality and public health needs of the state.