This funding opportunity is designed to support communities in Missouri in making improvements to drinking water and wastewater systems. It is provided in partnership with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development. The funding assists communities in addressing gaps in financing for water and wastewater projects. The Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee (MWWRC) plays a critical role in determining the financing structures available among the participating agencies. If a need for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is identified, the community will be invited to submit a full application.

The grant funds can be used for construction projects related to water treatment and distribution, as well as sewer treatment and collection, for publicly owned systems. However, operation and maintenance activities are not eligible for funding. This ensures that the grant is focused on infrastructure development and improvements rather than ongoing operational costs.

The funding limits for this opportunity specify that no applicant can receive more than $750,000 or $5,000 per household. The application process follows an open-cycle format, meaning that applications are accepted year-round. However, a key requirement is that communities must receive an invitation to apply after completing the Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee (MWWRC) process. This process includes submitting a preliminary proposal and an engineering report for review by the committee, which meets monthly.

To qualify for this funding, project beneficiaries must be at least 51% low-to-moderate-income persons. Priority is given to new water or sewer systems or the expansion/upgrades of existing systems that address substantiated health concerns. Additionally, successful applicants must demonstrate that their project rates will cover operation, maintenance, reserves, emergencies, and employee overhead costs. Communities that implement a regional approach to problem-solving will receive priority consideration.

The eligibility of projects is determined using the Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Area Benefit National Objective, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Applicants must use the FY 2024 ACS 5-Year 2016-2020 Low- and Moderate-Income Summary Data to verify eligibility. It is important to note that HUD's LMI Mapping Tool has not yet been updated with the FY 2024 data and should not be used for eligibility determinations.

For further assistance, applicants can contact the CDBG program by email at mocdbg@ded.mo.gov or by phone at (573) 751-3600.