EPA's Tribal Drinking Water Funding Programs

1. Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants- Tribal Set-Aside (DWIG-TSA)

EPA’s DWIG-TSA Program funds improvements to public water systems (PWS) serving Tribes, focusing on facilitating compliance with National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) and improving access to drinking water. Training and operator certification programs are also eligible for funding under the DWIG-TSA

The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided additional dedicated funding through the DWIG-TSA specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and  for projects and activities that  address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water.

• Compliance with NPDWRs
• Access to drinking water
• Lead
• Emerging Contaminants (including PFAS)
• Operator Certification and training

2. WIIN Act Section 2104: Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) Tribal Grant Program

The SUDC Tribal Grant Program assists small (serving under 10,000 individuals) public water systems serving Tribes to make improvements necessary to ensure compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements.

• Compliance with NPDWRs
• Access to drinking water
• Operator Certification and training

3. WIIN Act Section 2105: Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Tribal Grant Program

The Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Tribal Grant Program funds projects and activities that will meaningfully reduce lead concentrations in Tribal drinking water, including replacement of lead service lines and the use of corrosion control.  

• Lead

4. WIIN Act Section 2107: Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Tribal Grant Program

The Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Tribal Grant Program provides funding to Tribal Consortia for voluntary lead testing and lead remediation in drinking water at Tribal schools and childcare facilities. 

• Lead

5. Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Tribal Grant Program

The EC-SDC Tribal Grant Program funds projects and activities that address emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in drinking water systems serving small Tribal communities.

• Emerging Contaminants (including PFAS)

6. Tribal Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Grant Program

EPA's Tribal PWSS Grant Program is a longstanding funding program to support the implementation of the Tribal PWSS program, which helps drinking water systems maintain or achieve compliance with new and existing drinking water regulations. A portion of these funds is also set aside for activities that address PFAS and other Emerging Contaminants.

• Compliance with NPDWRs
• Emerging Contaminants (including PFAS)
• Operator Certification and Training