SRF Questions and Answers - BIL 2% Technical Assistance Reserve

Oct 4, 2026

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A set of Q&A entries addressing requirements and eligibility for State Revolving Fund (SRF) assistance under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Questions cover whether the CWSRF 2% technical assistance reserve is governed by proportionality cash draw rules, whether technical assistance must lead to future SRF-funded projects, the system sizes eligible for support, and how funds may be allocated or restricted (including emerging contaminants). Additional items clarify inter-SRF transfer impacts and use of contracted technical assistance providers, alongside related guidance on additional subsidy mandates for supplemental appropriations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

SRF 2% Technical Assistance Reserve

Proportionality and cash draw rules

Requirement for future SRF-funded projects

Eligible system size and eligible recipients

Use of funds for emerging contaminants technical assistance

Impact of inter-SRF transfers

Contracting technical assistance providers

Support for decentralized wastewater treatment communities

Consolidation benefiting systems under 10,000

Additional Subsidization Under BIL

| \# | SRF | Topic | Question | Answer | Date Q&A
Added | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1.1 | CW | 2% CWSRF TA reserve | Are the CWSRF 2% technical assistance funds subject to cash draw proportionality rules? | The 2% technical assistance funds are an eligible type of CWSRF assistance. When any funds are drawn from a CWSRF capitalization grant (including funds for this purpose), the CWSRF proportionality rules, as provided in the regulations, apply. | 3/21/2022 | | 1.2 | CW | 2% CWSRF TA reserve | Must CWSRF technical assistance result in a future CWSRF-funded project? | No. Technical assistance provided through the CWSRF does not need to result in a future CWSRF-funded project, but must meet the requirements of section 603(k) of the Clean Water Act. | 3/21/2022 | | 1.3 | CW | 2% CWSRF TA reserve | What size system is eligible to receive support from the CWSRF 2% technical assistance funds? | Per Section 603(k) of the Clean Water Act, the 2% technical assistance funds may be used for nonprofit organizations or State, regional, interstate, or municipal entities to provide technical assistance to "rural, small, and tribal publicly owned treatment works. " For the purposes of these funds, rural and small wastewater treatment systems are systems that treat up to 1 million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater or serve a population of less than 10,000 persons and may also serve operations including, but not limited to, hospitals, schools, and restaurants. Most wastewater systems in the nation serve populations of less than 10,000 persons. Tribal systems serve populations of federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and tribes on former reservations in Oklahoma (as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs) . | 7/13/2022 | | 1.4 | CW | 2% CWSRF TA reserve | Must the 2% technical assistance funds made available by the BIL CWSRF emerging contaminants grant be used for technical assistance related to emerging contaminants? | No. Technical assistance funds are made available under Section 603(k) of the CWA based on 2% of all grant awards received by a state CWSRF after November 15, 2021. Technical assistance funds do not have to be used for technical assistance related to emerging contaminants unless the state chooses to draw those funds from the CWSRF emerging contaminants grant. Funds drawn from the emerging contaminants grant may only be used for technical assistance related to emerging contaminants. | 11/8/2023 | | 1.5 | CW | 2% CWSRF TA reserve | Do inter-SRF transfers impact the calculation of the CWSRF 2% technical assistance authority? | No. The amount of CWSRF funding that may be used to provide technical assistance consistent with Section 603(k) of the CWAis an amount equal to 2% of all grant awards received annually by a state CWSRF after November 15, 2021. Transfers do not impact this calculation. | 11/8/2023 | | 1.6 | CW | 2% CWSRF TA reserve | Can the CWSRF 2% technical assistance funds be used by a state to contract with technical assistance providers (e.g., engineering consultants)? | Yes. States may use the 2% technical assistance funds to contract with public, private, or nonprofit entities to provide technical assistance to rural, small, or tribal POTWs. Examples of such assistance include, but are not limited to, retaining circuit riders to provide technical assistance; contracting with engineering firms directly to help develop projects; retaining certified public accountants or financial institutions to help recipients complete the financial portions of SRF application packages; and retaining entities to assist with Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and/or AIS/BABA compliance for recipients. | 11/8/2023 | | 1.7 | CW | 2% CWSRF TA reserve | Can the CWSRF 2% technical assistance funds be provided to a community that currently has decentralized wastewater treatment to construct a small POTW? | Yes, the 2% technical assistance funds may be used to provide technical assistance to a community with dec

FAQs

Are the CWSRF 2% technical assistance funds subject to cash draw proportionality rules?

Yes. The 2% technical assistance funds are an eligible CWSRF assistance type, and when drawn from a CWSRF capitalization grant, the CWSRF proportionality rules apply under the regulations.

Must CWSRF technical assistance result in a future CWSRF-funded project?

No. Technical assistance does not need to lead to a future CWSRF-funded project, but it must meet the requirements of section 603(k) of the Clean Water Act.

How can states use CWSRF 2% technical assistance funds regarding emerging contaminants?

States do not have to use the 2% technical assistance funds for emerging-contaminants technical assistance unless they draw those funds from the CWSRF emerging contaminants grant; funds drawn from that grant may be used only for emerging-contaminants-related technical assistance.

Oct 4, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy