Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona
1110 W. Washington Street Suite 290 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Phone: (602) 364-1310 Toll free: (877) 298-0425 Fax: (602) 364-1327
Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund
The 2007 Drinking Water Financial Assistance Cycle began on August 18th. The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) accepts applications for projects that involve the planning, engineering, construction, rehabilitation, modification, improvement, upgrading and/or equipping and expantion of drinking water facilities. Eligibility Governmental entities are eligible for financial assistance including cities, towns, Tribes, counties, municipalities and districts. Additionally, privately owned water systems, co-ops system, non-profits and other water structures regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) are eligible. Private community drinking water systems are also eligible and are defined as serving 25 or more people and having at least 15 service connections year-round.
The Money The funds are provided by the Environmental Protection Agency to WIFA who appropriates the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The amount awarded each funding cycle varies and is dependent upon a federal allocation and state federal capitalization grants for the fiscal year. Uses of Funds Funds can be used to design, engineer, construct, rehabilitate, modify improve, upgrade and/or equip drinking water facilities. Funds may also be used for source water protection and land acquisition. The Deadline For the 2007 DWSRF cycle, applications are due by October 5, 2006. However, applications may be submitted at anytime throughout the year. The Board of Directors will need to amend the Project Priority List to include applications submitted after the October deadline. the WIFA Board meets six times a year.
How to Apply 1. Submit an application for inclusion on the annual Priority Project List (PLL). 2. The PPL application will need to be approved by the WIFA Board and the PL needs to be amended to include the project. 3. Obtain "Readiness to Proceed" status meaning that the borrower has met or will meet all of WIFA's requirements to initiate the project and receive Continued...
The Application The 2007 CWSRF Project Priority List application may be completed on-line at:
www.azwifa.gov
If you have specific loan questions, please contact Angie Valenzuela, Senior Loan Officer at at (602) 364-1313 or, toll free at (877) 298-0425.
Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund
How to Apply Continued... funding (see "Readiness to Proceed" Requirements below). 4. WIFA staff will send a Project Finance Application (PFA) to the borrower for completion. 5. The PFA is reviewed by WIFA staff and approved by the Board before funding can be received. "Readiness to Proceed" Requirements For a project to be designated ready to proceed, a borrower must have met or will meet all of the following requirements: "Legal Capability" means the borrower is legally eligible to receive funding. "Financial Capability" means the borrower's ability to repay a loan. "Technical Capability" means the proposed project is technically appropriate for its intended purpose and can be operated and maintained for the term of financial assistance. "Managerial & Institutional Capability" means the borrower has the capability to operate the system in compliance with state and federal law. Continued... "Debt Authority" means a public jurisdiction has obtained legal approval from its constituents to enter into long-term debt (i.e. revenue bond election). Debt authorization may be obtained by election or assessment. Privately-held water systems must receive debt approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The method of debt authorization among Indian tribes will vary. Tips Projects are prioritized by public health factors, condition of facilities, local fiscal capacity, prior funding and consolidation and regionalization. Applicants who are not political subdivisions and are not regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission must form a political subdivision to serve as the financial assistance recipient and operating entity or conform to the jurisdiction of the Arizona Corporation Commission for rate setting and debt authorization. Applicants may apply for a technical assistance grant or loan through WIFA to assist in forming a political subdivision or to conform with Arizona Corporation Commission requirements. Communities may apply for a WIFA loan yearround. However, the Board must approve the project and amend the PPL in order to receive funding.
Schedule - 2007 Funding Cycle August 15, 2006 September 22, 2006 October 5, 2006 October 2006 November 7, 2006 December 20, 2006 December 31, 2006 January 1, 2007 PPL Applications Available at www.azwifa.gov 2007 FA Workshop, 1-3 pm in Phoenix PPL applications due Draft CWSRF Intended Use Plan and PL developed Public review and comment period begins WIFA Board of Directors approves CWSRF IUP and PPL 2006 CWSRF Funding Cycle Ends 2007 CWSRF Funding Cycle Begins
* PPL Applications may be submitted year-round.
