Tennessee SFY27 Public Comments: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund General Activities Intended Use Plan
At EPIC, we are conducting a review of several states’ Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs. Through this process, we have gained a deeper understanding of how these programs are administered and how the presentation of information in state IUPs can be enhanced. While analyzing Tennessee’s DWSRF program for our DWSRF Funding Tracker project, we’ve noted the following points about the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) administration of its DWSRF funds. Our intention is to support Tennessee in its efforts to make its IUPs even more user-friendly and informative and to adopt policies to direct funds where they are needed most and on a more timely basis.
Summary of EPIC’s Recommendations:
Consider re-evaluating readiness-to-proceed requirements, interest rates, additional subsidies, and cross-consideration of projects to help reduce carryover funds
Consider making more strategic use of set-asides to a) strengthen outcomes for small communities while b) also increasing the Lead and EC project pipeline to help reduce carryover funds
Support transparency in Tennessee’s Base/IIJA Gen Supp IUP by providing clear information on SRF policy decisions discussed in the IUPs