Drinking Water Emergency Loan Fund (DWELF)
The Ohio EPA Drinking Water Emergency Loan Fund (DWELF) provides emergency loans to owners or operators of public water systems for emergency remediation of a threat of contamination. This is defined as anything that prevents a public water system from supplying adequate quantities of safe, potable water to its existing water users. Any Ohio water system with a valid license to operate that is able to document a threat of contamination is eligible to apply for funding.
Financial Assistance
Each State fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) the DWELF may finance $200,000, interest free, to public water systems. A maximum of $25,000 may be loaned out to the owner or operator of any single public water system. The owner or operator receiving a loan is required to repay the loan within 12 months. A financial background check for repayment purposes may be completed on a water system requesting a loan. Additionally, an asset management screening will need to be completed for any DWELF applicant.
Prioritization of Loans
Loans are processed on a first come, first served basis. Because DWELF funds are limited, priority consideration is involved when requests for loans exceed the funds available. Public water systems that meet the following criteria may be given priority consideration:
- The public water system has no other source of potable drinking water.
- The public water system was not able to secure other sources of funding.
How to Apply
Applications cannot be processed until forms are completed, signed, and notarized. For help or questions about the required forms or assistance available, please call 614.644.2752 or reach out to one of the contacts listed. Please send all completed applications and supporting documents to the appropriate district office and to Gina.Hayes@epa.ohio.gov.