Baseline Water Quality Data Program

The Baseline Water Quality Data Program is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority under the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program is funded through Act 13 of 2012, which established the Marcellus Legacy Fund to support statewide initiatives related to natural gas development impacts. Specifically, this program is designed to create a scientifically sound baseline of groundwater quality conditions in areas where natural gas drilling is occurring. By establishing this baseline, the Commonwealth aims to support environmental monitoring, resource protection, and informed decision-making related to water resources. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that collect, analyze, and document water quality data from private water supplies. These projects must follow accepted scientific principles and rely on standardized methodologies to ensure data reliability and comparability. The program focuses on groundwater sampling and analysis in regions impacted by drilling activity, helping to identify pre-drilling conditions and establish reference points for future environmental assessments. Grant funding may be used for a range of project-related activities, including the collection and monitoring of water quality data, laboratory testing, and the evaluation and interpretation of results. Applicants are also expected to produce final reports summarizing findings. However, certain costs are explicitly prohibited, including public relations, lobbying, litigation, application preparation expenses, and any costs incurred prior to grant approval. All sampling must be conducted using EPA-approved methods and analyzed by accredited laboratories, and projects must include detailed plans for data reporting and storage. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes municipalities, councils of governments, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, higher education institutions, watershed organizations, and certain for-profit businesses that are not natural gas producers. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to conduct scientifically rigorous work, including the development of a scope of work prepared by a licensed professional geologist. Projects also require property owner consent for private well sampling and must adhere to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection standards. A mandatory cost share requirement applies, requiring applicants to provide a 15 percent local cash match of the total project cost. Matching funds may include eligible expenditures made up to one year prior to the application deadline and must be documented at the time of application submission. The program also requires applicants to maintain detailed project records, comply with nondiscrimination policies, and adhere to applicable procurement and labor regulations. Applications must be submitted through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s electronic Single Application system. Required materials include a detailed project description, cost estimates, financial documentation, matching fund commitments, and confirmation of compliance with data collection standards. Applications are accepted annually between February 1 and May 31. The Commonwealth Financing Authority evaluates submissions based on cost, strategic importance, and anticipated impact. Once approved, applicants enter into a grant agreement outlining terms and conditions. Funds are disbursed at regular intervals, and grantees must comply with reporting and documentation requirements throughout the project period. Program inquiries can be directed to the Department of Community and Economic Development’s CFA Programs Division via email or phone. The program operates on an annual cycle, allowing applicants to prepare for future funding rounds if not selected in the current cycle.

Ensure strong scientific methodology and clear cost justification align project impact with drilling areas and demonstrate readiness with documented match