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Learn about Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority's revolving funds, grants, technical assistance, and available loans for eligible borrowers. Discover the state's unique programs and partnerships in water supply development and loss control audits.
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Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona Sara Konrad Western States Water Council Spring Meeting March 2019 WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AUTHORITY
Topics • Clean Water State Revolving Fund • Drinking Water State Revolving Fund • Technical Assistance • Small Drinking Water System Fund • Water Supply Development Fund
Arizona’s Revolving Funds • Receive annual capitalization grants from EPA • $10 million Clean Water • $20 million Drinking Water • WIFA provides 20% match (no state appropriation) • Leveraged program • Borrow money (issue bonds) at the best rates available (AAA rated)
State revolving funds offer • Low interest rates • Forgivable principal available for disadvantaged communities • Financing available year-round • No application deadlines • No competition • No minimum or maximum loan amount • No application fees or closing costs
Eligible borrowers • Cities, towns, tribal entities and special districts: • Own a public water system • Own a wastewater facility • County, state and federal entities are NOT eligible • ACC-regulated private water companies • For profit and nonprofit • Nonprofit and private wastewater companies not eligible for AZ’s Clean Water SRF • First state revolving fund in the country to lend to a tribe • To date, four loans to tribal entities • Two more loans set to close within a few weeks
ADEQ Technical assistance • Portion of DWSRF set-asides goes to ADEQ’s Capacity Development Program • Free technical, managerial and financial assistance • Small public water systems (<10,000 population) • Selection criteria based on system’s technical, managerial and financial capabilities and identifies where they may need assistance • Alternately, the water system can request technical assistance • ADEQ hires third party contractors to prepare: • Planning for Consolidation, Acquisition and/or Regionalization • System Evaluation • Treatment Selection & Design • Operations Optimization • Management & Financial Planning • Permitting Documentation
Water and wastewater Rates dashboard Interactive rates and financial benchmarking tool • Created by University of North Carolina’s Environmental Finance Center • Designed for utility managers, finance directors, board members, general public/ratepayers • Allows comparison of user rates • Presents cost recovery ratio • Updated every other year dashboards.efc.sog.unc.edu/az
Water loss control audit • Partnership between WIFA and ADWR • Based on the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Manual for Water Audits and Loss Control Programs (M36) • Contract with consultant with expertise on M36 and training (Cavanaugh) • Provide free technical assistance to complete the water audit using free M36 software • Pilot in FY18 • 6 small to medium systems • Phase 2 in FY19 • 25 small to medium systems www.azwifa.gov/water-loss-control
WIFA Technical assistance • Funding Available for FY2019 • Drinking water: $300,000 • Wastewater and stormwater: $150,000 • Up to$50,000 per project available • WIFA construction loan requirement www.azwifa.gov/technical-assistance-program Water Infrastructure Finance Authority
Small Drinking Water Systems Fund • Multi-agency partnership: • WIFA administers funds • ADEQ recommends system/project • ACC concurs • FY17 $500,000 appropriated • 6 projects • FY20 $500,000 expected • Grants for repairs, replacement or upgrades related to compliance issues • Small drinking water systems (10,000 or less)
Water supply development Fund • Loans to water providers for water supply development • Acquisition of water/water rights • Contracts for water to augment the water supply • Development of facilities for: • Conveyance, storage or recovery of water • Reclamation and reuse of water • Replenishment of groundwater • Grants for planning and design (up to $100,000) • Established in 2007 but to date unfunded
Rural water infrastructure committee • Informal partnership of federal and state agencies that provides loans, grants and technical assistance • Serves as a “One-Stop Shop” for rural communities (population of less than 10,000) • Drinking water or wastewater needs • Water quality compliance • Water quantity problems • Infrastructure • Quarterly meetings • Project sponsors present briefly with project specifics • Funding and technical assistance agencies respond how they can assist
www.azwifa.gov Thank You Sara Konrad skonrad@azwifa.gov 602-364-1319