Nebraska Hydrovac Grant Program

The Nebraska Hydrovac Grant Program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) through its State Revolving Fund Section. The program is authorized under Nebraska Revised Statute §71-5322(10) and is designed to support municipalities in addressing regulatory requirements associated with drinking water infrastructure. Specifically, the grant focuses on assisting eligible local governments with the acquisition of hydro-vacuum excavation equipment, which is a specialized tool used to safely expose underground utilities. This equipment is critical for identifying whether water service lines contain lead or are composed of non-lead materials, a key requirement under federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements regulations. The primary purpose of the program is to help communities complete accurate inventories of their water service lines. Many municipalities currently have “unknown” classifications for portions of their systems, and federal compliance requires these to be verified and reclassified. By funding the purchase of hydrovac equipment, the program enables communities not only to perform this work internally but also to assist neighboring jurisdictions. This collaborative expectation is central to the program’s design, as applicants are evaluated in part on their willingness and capacity to support surrounding communities in achieving compliance. Funding through the program is structured as a cost-share model. The grant may cover up to 50 percent of eligible project costs associated with purchasing hydro-vacuum excavation equipment. Applicants are responsible for securing the remaining funding. Costs incurred prior to the execution of a formal agreement with DWEE are not eligible for reimbursement, and all expenditures must comply with applicable federal Uniform Guidance requirements. The program does not specify minimum or maximum award amounts, as funding is tied directly to project cost estimates submitted by applicants. Eligibility for the program is limited to Nebraska municipalities classified as cities of the second class or villages. Applicants must submit an application on behalf of their municipality and are required to identify other communities they intend to assist if awarded funding. The application requires detailed municipal information, including leadership contacts, estimates of equipment costs, the number of unknown service lines to be reclassified, and confirmation of whether a Technical, Managerial, and Financial Capability Survey has been submitted to DWEE. A certification section requires an authorized official to attest to the accuracy of the information and acknowledge compliance obligations. Applications are evaluated using three primary ranking factors. First, applicants are assessed based on the number of communities they are willing to assist with service line classification efforts. Second, the total number of unknown service lines proposed for reclassification is considered. Third, the program evaluates the average median household income of the communities served, weighted by the number of unknown service lines, to prioritize funding for areas with greater financial need. This scoring framework emphasizes both regional collaboration and equity considerations. The application period for the program opens on July 1, 2026, and closes on September 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted either by mail or email to the DWEE State Revolving Fund Section. Contact information, including a physical mailing address and program email, is provided for submission and inquiries. While the program does not explicitly state award notification timelines or project performance periods, applicants should anticipate compliance with federal funding requirements and additional conditions outlined in grant agreements. The program appears to be tied to regulatory timelines, suggesting potential recurrence aligned with ongoing compliance needs, though no explicit recurring cycle is defined.

Emphasize regional collaboration and maximize number of unknown service lines addressed to improve ranking score; include accurate cost estimates and demonstrate readiness to assist multiple communities