The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program (SAFER)

About this program

The California State Water Resources Control Board’s Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) Program provides funding and financing to expand access to safe, affordable drinking water, particularly for disadvantaged communities, noncompliant or at-risk water systems, domestic wells, and state small water systems. Supported through the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund and complementary state and federal sources, assistance may include emergency response, system consolidation, interim solutions, and long-term planning or infrastructure projects. Eligible applicants include public agencies, nonprofits, public utilities, mutual water companies, California Native American Tribes, administrators, and groundwater sustainability agencies; projects must benefit California communities and may address climate resilience or disadvantaged and low-income communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, funding is generally provided through reimbursements over an award period of up to four years, and matching funds are not required.