Since inception, cumulative assistance has surpassed 153.6 billion dollars as of 2021, and is continuing to grow through interest earnings, principal repayments, and leveraging.

The 51 CWSRF programs function like environmental infrastructure banks by distributing low interest rate loans for water quality projects.

States can also increase their CWSRF financing capacity by issuing CWSRF-backed revenue or general obligation bonds.

[4] States may customize loan terms to meet the needs of small and disadvantaged communities, or to provide incentives for certain types of projects.

Beginning in 2009, Congress authorized the CWSRFs to provide further financial assistance through additional subsidization, such as grants, principal forgiveness, and negative interest rate loans.

In 2017, the programs provided over $7.4 billion in assistance to loan recipients of all sizes, including farmers, homeowners, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and major municipalities.

[3] The programs are projected to continue to grow over time, as interest earnings and repayments of loans increase (see Figure 4).

[5] The demand for CWSRF funds nationwide can be attributed to high needs, low interest rates, and flexible financing options.

To meet high levels of demand, 27 states have chosen to implement leveraging approaches by issuing revenue and general obligation bonds that are secured by CWSRF assets.

The data link $15.8 billion in CWSRF loans to projects that protect and restore drinking water sources, recreational areas, and aquatic wildlife throughout the country.

The CWSRF is authorized to provide financial assistance for the construction of publicly owned treatment works (sec.

Eligible projects under CWA section 212 include the capital costs for the construction and maintenance of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs).

The CWSRF can fund capital costs needed to power these publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and strongly encourages the implementation of energy efficient technology.

The CWSRF can fund the "capital costs" of green infrastructure projects with direct water quality benefits.

Capital costs include traditional infrastructure expenditures (such as pipes, pumps and treatment plants), as well as unconventional infrastructure costs (like land conservation, tree plantings, equipment purchases, planning and design, environmental cleanups and even the development and initial delivery of environmental education programs).

[12] The CWSRF can finance carbon sequestration through a variety of methods, including urban heat-island reduction, energy saving achievement, and habitat preservation.

Eligible water conservation and reuse projects include: Public-private partnerships, or "P3s", are one investment technique by which municipalities can finance the upgrade, expansion, repair, or implementation of new technology for wastewater infrastructure.