Opportunity Overview
The Washington State Department of Ecology Water Resources Program is accepting applications for 2026 Drought Emergency Response Grants to help eligible Washington public entities and federally recognized Tribes respond to current drought hardship in areas covered by the state’s drought declaration.
Funding and Deadline
Ecology states that up to $3 million statewide is available. No single entity or project may receive more than 25% of the total available funds, which would equal up to $750,000 if the full $3 million pool remains available. Awards are made to eligible projects while funds remain available.
Applications are currently accepted through December 5, 2026. The current Ecology grant page does not state an exact closing time or time zone, so Atlas does not infer one. Because funding is available on a rolling basis while funds remain, qualified applicants should not wait for the final date.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include county and city governments, federally recognized Tribes, public utility districts, water and sewer districts, conservation districts, irrigation districts, port districts, and watershed management partnerships. The relevant public water service area, agricultural or livestock area, or source water must be within the drought declaration, and the applicant must demonstrate that drought conditions are causing undue hardship.
Match and Eligible Uses
Ecology generally funds up to 50% of eligible project costs, with the applicant providing the remaining 50%. An economically disadvantaged public water system may qualify for up to 100% state funding under the current guidance. Eligible public-water examples include alternate water sources, emergency water transport needed for public health and sanitation, conservation measures, leak detection, and other demand-reduction measures. Project implementation personnel costs may also be eligible.
Applicants should review the current guidance carefully for exclusions. Examples of ineligible or restricted costs include routine operations and maintenance, unrelated staff costs, debt issuance, claims or damages, and major or capital equipment without required preapproval.
Application and Requirements
Applications are submitted through Ecology’s Administration of Grants and Loans system (EAGL). Applicants must provide project details and the required Drought Relief Form and may need maps or drawings. Public-water applicants should describe current drought conditions and impacts on public health, system reliability, and water quality, and should provide a water-shortage response plan or commit to developing one. Ecology’s guidance also requires cultural-resource review before applicable work begins.
Atlas Assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 64/100. This is meaningful Washington public-health and rural-infrastructure funding, particularly for communities and Tribes facing documented water-supply hardship. Rolling availability increases urgency, but it is not clinical-service funding.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The controlling guidance funds drought-response and water-system activities, not remote physical examination, telehealth, RPM, or connected clinical diagnostics.
QC Healthcare fit: 0/100. No legitimate clinical-services fit is established by the program rules.
Dr. Miltie direct-applicant fit: 0/100. The published applicant classes are public entities and federally recognized Tribes, so Dr. Miltie is not advanced as a direct applicant.
Next Action
Priority applicant screening should focus on federally recognized Tribes, economically disadvantaged public water systems, and eligible local or special-purpose districts with documented drought hardship and qualifying projects. Applicants should confirm current fund availability and begin EAGL submission promptly rather than relying on the December 5 end date.
Official Washington Department of Ecology drought response grant page