USDA Rural Development currently lists Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks for Colonias as open. Applications are accepted on an ongoing October 1 through September 30 cycle through the applicable USDA Rural Development office.
Purpose and community health fit
The program supports safe, reliable drinking water and waste disposal services for low income communities facing significant health risks because adequate, affordable water or waste disposal services are unavailable or inadequate. Eligible projects may build basic drinking water and waste disposal systems, including stormwater drainage.
Eligible applicants and areas
Eligible applicants include state and local governments serving eligible areas, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Tribes. Projects must serve rural areas or towns with populations of 10,000 or fewer that were recognized as Colonias before October 1, 1989. Residents in the service area must face significant health risks resulting from inadequate access to affordable water or waste disposal services.
Funding and match
USDA does not publish a single national applicant award ceiling on the current program page. Matching funds are usually required and partnerships with other federal, state, or local entities are encouraged. USDA states that, under some circumstances and when funding is available, a grant may cover up to 100 percent of eligible project costs.
Atlas assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 87/100. The opportunity is directly relevant to rural public health infrastructure because eligibility is tied to significant health risks caused by inadequate water or waste disposal access.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The current federal program scope is basic water and waste infrastructure. It does not establish a clinical device, telehealth, or remote examination equipment pathway, so the Nonagon N9+ device and platform should not be positioned under this opportunity absent separate written USDA confirmation for a specific project.
Dr. Miltie direct applicant or vendor fit: 0/100 under the published federal structure. This is an applicant led public infrastructure program for eligible governmental, nonprofit, and Tribal entities rather than a direct Dr. Miltie federal application or ordinary clinical technology procurement path.
Application controls
Applicants should contact the USDA Rural Development office serving the project before preparing an application and must verify Colonia recognition, population eligibility, significant health risk findings, match requirements, available appropriations, environmental and engineering requirements, forms, and submission mechanics. The program is governed by 7 CFR Part 1777.
Official source: USDA Rural Development — Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks for Colonias.