CFA Home

Clean Water

Drinking Water

Land Recycling

EL Resources

Grants

Environmental Loans Section (EL)

The 1997-1999 biennial budget created a trust fund called the Environmental Improvement Fund (EIF) which combines three environmental financing programs for local governments: the Clean Water Fund Program, the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, and the Land Recycling Loan Program. The EIF is managed and administered jointly by the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Administration.

Is The EIF Right For Your Project?


If you have a wastewater, drinking water, or brownfield clean-up project and are wondering if the EIF program is the right funding tool for your project, be sure to talk to one of the EIF project managers early in the process. The following general guidelines may also be helpful in determining whether an EIF loan would be appropriate for your project:

  • EIF is a loan program for local units of government. The Clean Water Fund Program has a limited hardship grant component. If your project requires grant funding, we suggest you contact other governmental sources that provide grant funding to local units of governments, such as Wisconsin Department of Commerce and Rural Development. The EIF can usually participate in a project that receives grant funding from another source by providing a loan for the portion of the project not covered by the grant.

  • If you already paid costs incurred for your project using a bank loan, the EIF may be able to refinance your bank loan at a lower interest rate.

  • If you already paid costs incurred for your project from internal municipal accounts, the EIF may be able to reimburse your accounts if a " Reimbursement Resolution" was adopted by your municipality.

  • EIF loans are tax-exempt debt and therefore are limited by some Internal Revenue regulations (see IRS private activity bond regulations.)

  • If your municipal wastewater project is necessary to stay in compliance with your WPDES permit or to meet new permit requirements, it is eligible for an EIF loan. If you are constructing a new sewer system to eliminate groundwater pollution and threats to public health, your project is eligible. Sewer extension projects that will primarily serve future growth are ineligible.

  • If your public water system violates health standards, has contamination, is not in compliance with drinking water standards, or has inadequate transmission pipes and/or storage facilities, it is eligible for an EIF loan. Projects needed primarily for fire protection or to serve future growth are ineligible.

  • If your municipality owns property that is contaminating groundwater or surface water and must be cleaned up prior to redevelopment, it is eligible for an EIF loan. Contaminated property that is privately owned is not eligible.

See also Advantages of Financing Your Project with the EIF.

Additional Information

Last Revised: Wednesday March 11 2009