The State of New Hampshire offers financial assistance programs to communities for the design and construction of eligible projects.

State Aid Grant Program (SAG)
RSA 486:1,111. established a wastewater grant program that provides financial assistance in the form of a grant for 20 percent of the eligible costs related to the planning, design and construction of certain sewage disposal facilities by municipalities. This statute sets minimum requirements that must be met for a project to be eligible for funding. Engineering firms performing professional services related to these projects must be on the Roster of Prequalified Consulting Engineers and these engineering services must be provided to the municipality utilizing the State Standard Contract. Payments to municipalities under these grants are normally made after the completion of the project and determination of final eligible costs.

State Aid Grant Plus (SAG Plus)
In addition to the availability of funds from the State Aid Grant Program (SAG) outlined above additional funds are avalible. These additional funds are avalible to municipalities that expand, upgrade or develop new wastewater treatment facilities to provide for septage disposal. A municipality may be reimbursed by the state an additional 10 percent of eligible costs, derived from the acquisition and construction of septage treatment facilities, which results in increased septage and /or treatment capacity to meet the septage disposal needs of their residents. The grant increases by 2 percent for each municipality with which the host community holds a written agreement to provide for their septage disposal needs. The total grant amount can equal up to 50 percent of the eligible costs (including the SAG). To apply for this additional grant money, applicants should utilize the same pre-application form and protocol as used in the SAG Program. For further information on SAG Plus, contact Ray Gordon, DES Septage Coordinator at 271-3571 or at rgordon@des.state.nh.us.

State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF)
The State Revolving Loan Fund Program provides low interest loans to assist communities with the design and construction of eligible wastewater projects. In 1995, unlined landfill closure projects were made eligible for loan8 under this program. The requirements for obtaining a SRF loan are generally the same as for the State Aid Grant Program. However, in addition to these requirements, the construction of a project under the loan program requires the solicitation of minority and women's business enterprises for participation in the project. The SRF Loan Program also requires that an environmental assessment be prepared by NHDES and presented for public comment by the municipality. Another difference is that loan funds are disbursed to the municipality as eligible costs are incurred. For more information...