Florida Utility Hurricane Recovery Funds Open for Proposals Until June 30

Many water and wastewater utilities are still feeling the effects of 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the FL DEP has opened up utility recovery project funding to aid in their ongoing recovery efforts.

Funding Opportunity: State Revolving Fund Assistance for Utilities Impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting project proposals from drinking water and wastewater utilities affected by hurricanes Helene and/or Milton. Through the Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton (SA-HMW), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided $1.6 billion in federal funding to Florida’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Clean Water SRF to support eligible recovery and resilience projects.

Water & Wastewater Utility Project Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, the applicant must be an SRF-eligible entity and the proposed project must address damage, disruption or the loss of a mission-essential function, such as a threat to public health, caused by one or both of the hurricanes. Projects may involve planning, design or construction and must meet  SRF-eligibility requirements. Additionally, projects should aim to reduce vulnerability to flood or fire damage or enhance resilience to flooding and hurricanes. A list of eligible project types can be found in Attachment 3 of EPA’s SA-HMW guidance (PDF).

To assist applicants, DEP’s Drinking Water and Clean Water SRF programs will offer combined virtual office hours this summer to provide administrative, programmatic and technical assistance related to SA-HMW funding. Virtual office hours will be held via Microsoft Teams (meeting link)  on the following Thursdays from 2-3 p.m. EDT: May 22, June 5, June 12, June 19 and June 26, 2025. 

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 30, 2025. To apply, complete a Drinking Water SRF Request for Inclusion and/or Clean Water SRF Request for Inclusion and email the completed form and required backup documentation to SRFRFI@FloridaDEP.gov. While electronic submittal is preferred, hard copies will also be accepted. To submit a hard copy, contact Catherine Murray (email: Catherine.M.Murray@FloridaDEP.gov) at 850-245-2966.

Please note, any information submitted to DEP will become a public record, subject to disclosure in accordance with Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and Article 1, § 24 of the Florida Constitution. Submittal of a project proposal does not create an agreement nor does it guarantee funding.

Learn more about DEP’s Division of Water Restoration Assistance.

More about FL DEP, Helene, and hurricane impact on wastewater utilities:

• Hurricane Impact on Wastewater Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities
• EPA Launches Hurricane Helene Resources Website
• How SediVision Technology Benefits Utilities in Post-Hurricane and Flood Recovery
• 2017 Hurricane Season for Gulf States Is In Full Swing – Are You Prepared?

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

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The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting Florida's air, water and land.

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