Water Finance Resource Center
Water infrastructure is an extremely broad asset class ranging from drinking water to stormwater, as well as wastewater and sewage treatment. Financing water infrastructure is a major challenge for communities across the country, yet possible through innovative financing programs on the local, state and federal level.
The development finance toolbox provides dozens of financing tools and mechanisms that can be effective in financing all facets of water infrastructure. Financing tools for water infrastructure are available from the local, state and federal level. Primarily, three specific tools exist to support water infrastructure – bond financing, state revolving loan funds, and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), a federal credit subsidy program. These affordable programs provide for safe, clean drinking water and sustainable improvements to current, aging water infrastructure.
Want regular updates on water finance? Subscribe to CDFA's
Energy Finance Update newsletter.
Subscribe
-Understanding Water Finance
Want to learn more about any type of water infrastructure financing? This section contains resources on understanding the basics of water finance.
Water Infrastructure Financing: The WIFIA Program
The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program provides financial assistance for water infrastructure projects, including projects to build and upgrade wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. This Congressional Research Service publication provides an introduction to the WIFIA program.
Building Resiliency Through Green InfrastructureMembers only 
Login
Cities have recently integrated more green infrastructure strategies into their climate resiliency planning. Creating climate-resilient cities takes more than a series of infrastructure investments; more than sea walls and permeable pavement. It takes investment in people. Those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change are those without living wages or access to political power—very often communities of color.
Funding Land Conservation Projects with the CWSRFMembers only Login
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program is an affordable source of funding for a wide range of projects that address water quality, including land conservation and restoration projects. The conservation of natural lands reduces contamination at the source, protecting water quality and lessening the need for wastewater treatment through traditional methods.
-Resources
View all Water Finance Resources
-Water and Sewer Bond Finance Resources
Resilient New Orleans Finance PlanMembers only Login
This framework for green infrastructure can help the City of New Orleans take a quantum leap forward by inspiring innovation and proactively using public funding to stimulate private investment. The Resilient New Orleans Finance Plan will serve as the foundation for a new green economy that will lead its COVID-19 recovery and transform its jobs.
Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture Strategic PlanMembers only Login
The Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture Strategic Plan provides broad recommendations are coupled with specific, actionable strategies. The implementation of this plan is critical to achieving greater agricultural and natural resource resiliency, as well as a secure future for the generations of farmers and ranchers to come.
Community Serving Infrastructure: A Playbook for a New Infrastructure PartnershipMembers only Login
The New Partnership on Infrastructure seeks to advance national policies driven by local innovation, with cities serving as testbeds for experimentation and transferable solutions. This document champions that idea. It is a summation of local practices and insights from across the country - cities large and small, red and blue, coastal and inland - that aggregate into America’s New Playbook for Infrastructure.
California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook
CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
View More Water and Sewer Bond Resources
-Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Resources
Community Serving Infrastructure: A Playbook for a New Infrastructure PartnershipMembers only Login
The New Partnership on Infrastructure seeks to advance national policies driven by local innovation, with cities serving as testbeds for experimentation and transferable solutions. This document champions that idea. It is a summation of local practices and insights from across the country - cities large and small, red and blue, coastal and inland - that aggregate into America’s New Playbook for Infrastructure.
California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook
CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
Water Infrastructure Financing: The WIFIA Program
The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program provides financial assistance for water infrastructure projects, including projects to build and upgrade wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. This Congressional Research Service publication provides an introduction to the WIFIA program.
Miami WIFIA Project Fact SheetMembers only Login
Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department will construct fourteen new injection wells at three wastewater treatment plants. When the construction of this project and all necessary associated facilities are complete, Miami-Dade County will eliminate routine ocean discharges and be in compliance with the State of Florida’s Ocean Outfall Legislation Program.
View more WIFIA Resources
-State Revolving Fund Resources
California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook
CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
NMEDD - Economic Development Innovation Task Force ReportMembers only Login
In 2019, the Governor signed House Memorial 16 directing the Economic Development Department (NMEDD) to bring together stakeholders and convene an Economic Development Innovation Task Force to spur collaboration and innovative discussions on methods to create new economic development concepts and ideas to enhance New Mexico's economy. This report is the result.
Available CFA Resources - New York Regional Economic Development CouncilsMembers only Login
In 2011, Governor Cuomo created ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to advance the administration’s efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth. This 2019 document outlines information about each agency’s grant programs, including eligibility, scoring criteria, applicant requirements, and agency contact information.
View more State Revolving Fund Resources
-Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF)
California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook
CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
Innovative State-Led Efforts to Finance Agricultural ConservationMembers only Login
U.S. farmers are currently facing the most difficult agricultural economy since the 1980s. At the same time, many states are wrestling with the necessity of addressing environmental challenges. This report expounds upon the excellent work states are doing regarding conservation tax credits, cover crop incentives and environmental certifications to increase conservation across the landscape. The report also highlights how these programs work for agricultural producers and states.
Building Resiliency Through Green InfrastructureMembers only Login
Cities have recently integrated more green infrastructure strategies into their climate resiliency planning. Creating climate-resilient cities takes more than a series of infrastructure investments; more than sea walls and permeable pavement. It takes investment in people. Those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change are those without living wages or access to political power—very often communities of color.
View more CWSRF Resources
-Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook
CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
Innovative State-Led Efforts to Finance Agricultural ConservationMembers only Login
U.S. farmers are currently facing the most difficult agricultural economy since the 1980s. At the same time, many states are wrestling with the necessity of addressing environmental challenges. This report expounds upon the excellent work states are doing regarding conservation tax credits, cover crop incentives and environmental certifications to increase conservation across the landscape. The report also highlights how these programs work for agricultural producers and states.
View more DWSRF Resources
-Programs Map
Search the map below to find Water Finance program by state. This specialized search is part of
CDFA's State Financing Program Directory, the only online resource cataloging the development finance programs offered by state governments. Click on a state to see a sample of programs available. Login with a CDFA Member account at the top of the page to view full results.
-Case Studies
Resilient New Orleans Finance PlanMembers only Login
This framework for green infrastructure can help the City of New Orleans take a quantum leap forward by inspiring innovation and proactively using public funding to stimulate private investment. The Resilient New Orleans Finance Plan will serve as the foundation for a new green economy that will lead its COVID-19 recovery and transform its jobs.
California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook
CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
USDA Report on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity 2019Members only Login
On April 25, 2017, the President of the United States established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity through Executive Order 13790. The purpose and function of the Task Force was to identify legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to promote agriculture, economic development, job growth, infrastructure improvements, technological innovation, energy security, and quality of life in rural America.
Miami WIFIA Project Fact SheetMembers only Login
Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department will construct fourteen new injection wells at three wastewater treatment plants. When the construction of this project and all necessary associated facilities are complete, Miami-Dade County will eliminate routine ocean discharges and be in compliance with the State of Florida’s Ocean Outfall Legislation Program.
View more Case Studies
-Headlines
-Publications
Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance
The Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance 2nd Edition is the only comprehensive resource dedicated to building and utilizing the development finance toolbox. The Practitioner's Guide provides the insight and practical information needed to critically understand how economic development is financed and the tools, strategies and techniques used to build strong communities. From bonds, tax increment finance and special districts to tax credits, seed & venture capital, revolving loan funds and much more, this Guide outlines the financing tools required for succeeding in today's competitive economic development climate.
Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency
Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency (Handbook) serves as a companion to the Practitioner’s Guide to help illuminate the structures of development finance agencies (DFAs), essential conduits to access development finance tools. The Handbook provides an overview of DFAs and their myriad roles in various development efforts. Included in this discussion is a comprehensive look at over a dozen high-performing DFAs throughout the country. The Handbook is designed to be a starting point for local leaders to engage in the creation or acceleration of a DFA to build and utilize the development finance toolbox.
View more Publications -Webcasts
CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series: Bonds + Financing SustainabilityMembers only Login
Bonds are considered the bedrock tool for development finance because of their common use funding traditional projects however they also can be adaptable for new types of projects. In the current day and age sustainability has become a key focus in development finance and bonds have more frequently been used to finance this new wave of projects. During this installment of the BNY Mellon // CDFA Webcast Series Sharon Wojda from the City of Bend, Oregon, and Stephen Pearlman from Pearlman & Miranda, LLC., will look at outside the box ideas for issuing bonds to fund sustainable areas of finance including renewable energy, adaptive reuse for infrastructure and sustainable water solutions.
CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series: Opportunities and Advancements in Water FinanceMembers only Login
During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, learn from expert speakers Jordan Dorfman from the EPA, Tyler Old from PFM, John DeLuca from CoBank, and Jong Sook Nee from McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC as they discuss developments in the water finance space and how different financing mechanisms like bonds, RLFs, P3s, and other tools are being used to address today’s water infrastructure projects.
View more Webcasts