Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF)

About this program

The National Rural Water Association administers the Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF), providing low-cost short-term loans to small water and wastewater utilities for repairs, small capital projects, pre-development planning, energy-efficiency upgrades, and disaster recovery/emergency needs. Loans are capped at $200,000 or 75% of total project cost (whichever is less), carry a below-market interest rate (currently 3.125%) with up to 10 years for repayment, and offer immediate processing with 90-day no-interest terms for emergency loans. Eligible applicants include public entities (municipalities, counties, special purpose districts), Native American tribes, nonprofit corporations, and cooperatives serving up to 10,000 persons—or rural systems with no population limit—and applications can be submitted by email or mail with assistance from State Rural Water Associations; NRWA charges no administrative or processing fees.