The Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) Grants program is a Colorado state-funded initiative that provides financial assistance for water quality projects. The program is funded by civil penalties collected for water quality violations and is part of the Water Quality Control Commission’s Regulation 55 – State Funded Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Programs.

This grant supports stormwater management training, water quality improvement projects, wastewater treatment facilities, and nonpoint source projects. Funding is distributed depending on the accumulation of sufficient funds to support eligible projects.

Eligible applicants include:

Government agencies
Publicly owned water systems
Private not-for-profit public water systems
Not-for-profit stormwater program administrators or training providers
Not-for-profit watershed groups
Private landowners impacted by a water quality violation
Eligible projects must fall into the following categories:

Stormwater management and best management practices training
Water quality improvement projects tied to civil penalties
Planning, design, construction, or repair of stormwater projects or domestic wastewater treatment facilities listed on the State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan
Nonfederal match funding for nonpoint source projects
The grant application process follows a Request for Applications (RFA) model, with funding availability dependent on penalty fund accumulation. The application period varies based on available funds.

Additionally, the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program supports small or disadvantaged communities in addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water. This program, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), offers two types of grants:

Tier 1 Planning and Design Grants – Up to $300,000 for planning, design, and pilot testing (up to 24 months).
Tier 2 Infrastructure Grants – Up to $30 million per project ($10 million max per year) for design and construction of treatment facilities.
Future RFAs for EC-SDC grants are anticipated twice per year (January and June) from 2025 to 2028, subject to available funds.

For more information, applicants can contact CDPHE at CDPHE.WQCD.Watergrants@state.co.us or (303) 692-2848.