Calendar Year 2022 Disaster Water Grants | Apply Online

Calendar Year 2022 Disaster Water Grants (USDA RUS) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Calendar Year 2022 Disaster Water Grants opportunity?

The Calendar Year 2022 Disaster Water Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: RD RUS CY22DISASTER; CFDA/Assistance Listing: 10.760) is a discretionary grant program run by the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS). It is intended to help communities in areas affected by events that occurred in calendar year 2022 and were later recognized through Presidentially Declared Disasters.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The main purpose is to provide funding to qualified applicants for costs tied to water-related infrastructure systems that were impacted by CY 2022 disasters. The program supports repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure, and it also emphasizes longer-term improvements that build capacity and resilience so systems are stronger and better prepared for future disasters and reduced long-term risk.

What types of infrastructure projects can be supported?

Projects may involve a broad range of community water infrastructure systems, including drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater systems, as long as they serve eligible communities in designated disaster-impacted areas.

Does a project need to be directly related to a CY 2022 disaster?

Yes. Demonstrating disaster impact is described as a core threshold requirement. Applications are expected to connect the proposed work directly to the damage or vulnerability created or exposed by the CY 2022 disaster event(s), rather than presenting general infrastructure needs without a clear disaster link.

What documentation is required to show disaster impact?

Applicants are expected to provide adequate documentation showing how the disaster affected their water infrastructure system. The key requirement is that the application demonstrates and documents the relationship between the CY 2022 Presidentially Declared Disaster impacts and the proposed project work.

Which communities or locations are intended to benefit?

The opportunity is intended to help communities in designated disaster-impacted areas tied to events that occurred in calendar year 2022 and were later recognized as Presidentially Declared Disasters.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to specific entity types that operate or support community-based systems. The program allows applications from public bodies, nonprofit organizations (operated on a not-for-profit basis), federally recognized tribes, and prefabricated home organizations that operate an eligible community-based system.

If a non-tribal applicant proposes a project that serves tribes or tribal areas, is anything additional required?

Yes. If an applicant that is not a tribe proposes a project that will serve tribes or tribal areas, the program expects clear tribal support for the project. This is typically documented through a Tribal Resolution and/or a letter of support indicating the affected tribe(s) support the proposed work.

What legal or administrative requirements must applicants meet?

Applicants must be legally eligible to receive and administer a federal grant under federal law. They must also have (or be able to obtain) the legal authority needed to own, construct, operate, and maintain the facility or service being repaired or replaced.

Do applicants have to be responsible for operations and maintenance after the project is completed?

Yes. Applicants must be responsible for the ongoing operation, maintenance, and management of the facility and ensure it remains available to users at reasonable rates and charges.

Can an applicant avoid responsibility for operations by outsourcing system operations to a third party?

No. The program states that responsibility cannot be avoided by outsourcing operations. Even if a third party runs the system under a contract or management agreement, the applicant remains accountable for the facility and its continued proper operation.

Are there capability requirements beyond legal eligibility?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate technical, managerial, and financial capability to consistently comply with relevant federal and state laws and requirements.

Are there restrictions related to federal debt?

Yes. Applicants must not have delinquent debt to the federal government and must not have outstanding judgments to repay a federal debt. Federal debt issues can disqualify an entity from receiving new federal assistance under this opportunity.

Is this opportunity submitted through Grants.gov?

No. Applications are not submitted through Grants.gov for this opportunity. The Grants.gov posting is explicitly informational only.

Where do applicants submit an application?

Applicants must apply electronically through USDA Rural Development's RD Apply portal at https://rdapply.sc.egov.usda.gov/.

What is the funding opportunity number and assistance listing (CFDA) number?

Funding Opportunity Number: RD RUS CY22DISASTER. CFDA/Assistance Listing: 10.760.

When was the opportunity created and what closing date is listed?

The opportunity was created on 2023-06-22 and lists an original closing date of 2026-06-11.

Does the listing state an award ceiling or number of expected awards?

In the provided data, the listing shows an award ceiling of 0 and does not specify an expected number of awards. This generally indicates applicants should rely on official program materials and RD Apply guidance for details on funding availability, award sizing, and any year-to-year constraints not reflected in the brief summary.

What should applicants do if the Grants.gov summary seems incomplete?

The provided information indicates that some key details (such as award sizing or expected number of awards) may not be reflected in the Grants.gov summary. Applicants should rely on the official program materials and RD Apply guidance for the most accurate and complete requirements and funding details for this opportunity.