What did we accomplish last year? Read our 2025 In Review blog.
Improving Access to Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Water Infrastructure
We are driven by a simple, but urgent truth: Reliable and high-performing water infrastructure is essential for human and environmental health and economic opportunity.
Our Initiatives
Too many communities—especially small and under-resourced ones—struggle with aging systems, funding gaps, and policy barriers that threaten access to safe drinking water, wastewater services, and flood protection.
Through our initiatives, we work to accelerate solutions that remove these obstacles.
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EPIC’s Funding Navigator (FN) team works for small and under-resourced communities—over 100 so far, and more in progress—by providing rapid-response project management and technical assistance, driving access to capital for more safe, reliable, affordable, and resilient water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. Our team provides this support at no cost to the communities.
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EPIC’s Green Infrastructure (GI) initiative supports communities that have historically lacked the resources to develop and implement nature-based projects by accelerating access to financing, technical assistance, and program setup.
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EPIC’s Lead Service Line Replacement Initiative bridges federal, state, and local contexts to accelerate faster replacement of all the nation’s lead service lines.
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EPIC’s State Revolving Funds (SRF) initiative works to expand and expedite access to water infrastructure investments through the SRFs.
What We’re Working On
Funding Navigator
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A guide to EPIC’s technical assistance services, helping communities identify funding opportunities and move water infrastructure projects forward.
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Real-world examples of communities overcoming funding challenges to move critical water infrastructure projects forward.
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Key financial terms, conditions, definitions, and resources to help communities navigate the SRF application process.
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An innovative financing program helping Great Lakes communities invest in critical water infrastructure.
Green Infrastructure
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An overview of state strategies using planning, policy, and funding tools to advance green stormwater infrastructure.
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Explores how Pay for Success models can engage contractors and accelerate green infrastructure delivery.
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Key considerations for states developing sponsorship programs to support green infrastructure projects.
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Explores how Pay for Success can address barriers and create new opportunities for green stormwater infrastructure.
Lead Service Line Replacement
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A centralized resource with tools, case studies, and guidance to help communities advance lead service line replacement.
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Timely updates and analysis on policies shaping lead service line replacement efforts nationwide.
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Explores funding and financing strategies to help communities achieve full lead service line replacement.
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Explains how automatic enrollment can increase participation and make lead service line replacement programs more efficient.
State Revolving Funds
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Data and analysis that make state DWSRF funding decisions more transparent, accessible, and understandable.
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Analysis of how congressional earmarks affect the long-term sustainability and financing capacity of SRFs.
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A growing library of briefs and explainers on policies that can strengthen SRFs and improve how funding reaches communities.
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Analysis and recommendations to help states strengthen SRF policies through their Intended Use Plans.
Latest Insights
Browse By Initiative:
About The Water Team
We are a team whose expertise and experience include policy analysis and research, engineering, municipal and utility finance, utility operations, data science, capacity development, community engagement, utility regulation, and local government.
We combine research, policy and data analysis, technical assistance, and collaboration to drive practical solutions that strengthen communities, unlock financing, and help government agencies work faster to protect public and environmental health and build a more sustainable water future.
Our Mission
Turn ideas into practical solutions through agile research, data-driven policy recommendations, and hands-on technical assistance that strengthen water systems, especially in under-resourced communities.
Our Vision
Every community has safe, reliable, and affordable water systems that endure financial, workforce, and environmental challenges.
Our Goals
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We deliver clear, innovative, and actionable guidance that government leaders, utilities, and communities can count on, such as recommendations to make lead service line replacement happen faster and recommendations for speeding up the flow of State Revolving Funds.
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We create adaptable solutions and support communities, especially those that are small and under-resourced, in accessing funding and advancing water projects. So far, we have supported 70 communities in developing water projects and applying for state and federal funds, with a lot more to come.
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We remain agile in the face of shifting regulatory, financial, and other external challenges, offering timely insights and strategic support to help our partners and decision-makers navigate what’s next.
Our Principles
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We identify solutions to help State Revolving Funds—the largest source of government funds for water infrastructure—operate efficiently, effectively, and with long-term resilience.
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We reduce complexity, build capacity, and ensure small and under-resourced communities can access the state and federal funding and financing they need.
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We listen first and act fast—starting with understanding local priorities, then delivering timely, tailored solutions that turn ideas into results.
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We equip governments and utilities with tools and strategies to speed up lead service line replacement, expand green infrastructure, and protect public health.