Vulnerability Assessments and Related Security Improvements at Large Drinking Water Utilities

 

EPA's funding priority is to provide grant assistance to large (regularly serving 100,000 people or more) publicly-owned community drinking water systems, for up to $115,000 to each eligible utility to develop/revise a vulnerability assessment (V/A), emergency response/operating plan (EOP), security enhancement plans and designs, or a combination of these efforts. Funding Priority: EPA's funding priority is to provide grant assistance to large (regularly serving 100,000 people or more) publicly-owned community drinking water systems, for up to $115,000 to each eligible utility to develop/revise a vulnerability assessment (V/A), emergency response/operating plan (EOP), security enhancement plans and designs, or a combination of these efforts.

Deleted 02/15/2005 (Program is no longer funded.) 66.476 OFFICE OF WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Project Grants. In fiscal year 2002 EPA awarded $45,579,643 in grants. Safe Drinking Water Act, Sections 1442 (a) and (c), as amended; Public Laws 104-182 and 107-117. Large public drinking water utilities - those servicing 100,000 or more people on a regular basis and have not performed a vulnerability assessment or developed/revised an Emergency Operating Plan or designs for security enhancements - are eligible to apply for this funding. Such utilities must be publicly- owned and operated. Investor or privately-owned utilities are not eligible for this program. General Public. New program, not applicable. Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Applicants must submit an "Application for Federal Assistance," SF 424, "Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs," SF 424A, "Assurances- Non-Construction Programs, SF-424B," "Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters," "Certification Regarding Lobbying," "Pre-Award Compliance Review," EPA 4700-4, and other required forms to complete the application process. Applicants can obtain downloadable forms at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/grant_application_forms.htm. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." However, EPA will manage the process. Applicants will not have to consult the official designated as the single point of contact in their State for information on the process the State requires to be followed. Utilities ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to apply for this program as soon as possible. This program is non-competitive, and all eligible Utilities that submit complete applications and satisfactory work plans as specified in the Request For Applications will be considered for grant awards as quickly as possible. Utilities that submit applications early in the process may receive grant awards more quickly. Since postal mail delays are to be expected that could inordinately delay EPA's receipt of applications, EPA encourages applicants to use an express mail or courier service to transmit applications to the appropriate address below. Applications are reviewed by the appropriate EPA Regional Office. Approvals are sent to EPA Headquarters for further processing. EPA Headquarters awards the grants. Contact the Headquarters Office for application deadlines. Approximately 90 days after deadline for application submittal. As described in 40 CFR Part 31, subpart L. None. This program is non-competitive, and all eligible utilities that submit complete applications and satisfactory work plans as specified in the Request For Applications will be considered for grant awards as quickly as possible. Utilities that submit applications early in the process may receive grant awards more quickly. These grants provide assistance to recipients to conduct a vulnerability assessment (V/A) and an emergency response/operating plan (EOP) as well as planning and designing security enhancements. Recipients may not use a grant to fund construction or other physical improvements to a utility. Quarterly reports are due at the end of each quarter. A financial status report is due at the end of the grant period. EPA will not require Utilities to submit the products developed under this grant. These products include the V/A, EOP, and Security Enhancement Plans. A Term/Condition will be negotiated in the final grant award that will outline the procedure utilities must follow to demonstrate to EPA that the projects performed under this grant program were satisfactorily completed. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the Single Audit Act amendments of 1996. The Circular requires non-federal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions. With the revised Circular, the previous OMB Circular No. A-128 for single audits of State and local governments was rescinded and the single audit requirements for these entities were incorporated among the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133. Each utility must maintain a copy of the emergency response plan that it completes for five years after such plan has been certified complete to EPA. There are no formula and matching requirements. Recipients who receive funding for a vulnerability assessment either must complete it within 6 months of grant award, or by the end of calendar year 2002, whichever is later, subject to the grant Terms and Conditions. If Federal legislation is enacted that mandates an earlier deadline for completing the vulnerability assessments, EPA shall provide notice to the utilities of such new deadlines, which may supercede the deadlines noted above. Recipients who receive funding to develop an Emergency Operation Plan or plans to improve plant security are not subject to the six-month requirement but must complete these activities by the end of calendar year 2003. See Appendix IV for list of Regional Contacts. For general information, please contact http://www.epa.gov/safewater/security/large_grants.html or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Applicants should inform the operator that the question concerns the "Grants for Vulnerability Assessments Program." http://www.epa.gov 68-0107-0-1-304. FY 02 not available; FY 03 est $45,600,000; and FY 04 est $1,000,000. Grants of up to $115,000 will be issued to applicants for the three allowable activities. Sections 1442(a) and (c) of the Safe Drinking Water Act; EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments (40 CFR Part 31); Environmental Protection Agency. "EPA Assistance Administration Manual," available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA 22161 on a subscription basis; Order No. NTIS UB/031. Grants to eligible utilities.