The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program (SAFER)

The SAFER (Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience) Program, administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board, provides annual grant funding—up to $130 million per year—for drinking‑water projects that serve disadvantaged communities, schools, small public water systems, and domestic wells. Funding can be used for emergency repairs, compliance upgrades, system consolidations, and long‑term planning, with a focus on climate‑resilient and low‑income areas. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through an online portal; a letter of intent is required, and the grant is reimbursable. The award period is four years, and the program will run through June 30 2030. • Eligible applicants: nonprofit, public agency, tribal government, public utilities, mutual water companies, groundwater sustainability agencies. • Eligible geographies: California disadvantaged communities, low‑income households, and climate‑resilient zones. • Funding source: Federal and State, primarily the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water (SADW) Fund and 5 % of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund proceeds. • Funding method: reimbursement (no advance). • No matching fund required; letter of intent mandatory. • Program duration: ongoing with annual allocations; each award’s performance period = 4 years.