The Rural Infrastructure Program provides low interest loans to rural communities for water, wastewater and solid waste projects. Mutual Domestic association or water and sanitation districts that supplies water, wastewater or solid waste services to, or municipalities that have a population of less than 20,000 or counties with populations of less than 200,000 are eligible for funding. The interest rate is 2.375% with a loan term of up to 20 years and repayment beginning one year after project completion.
Rural Infrastructure Program applications are accepted year-round. Loan funds can be made available for projects within eight weeks upon submission of complete application.
Types of projects eligible for Rural Infrastructure Program funding:
- Eligible water, wastewater and solid waste
- Water pipelines
- New sewer interceptors and collectors
- Infiltration/inflow correction
- Water and sewer system rehabilitation
- Treatment plant improvements
- Non-point source projects (i.e. septic tanks)
- Cost of water rights acquisition
- Eligible solid waste facilities including collection, disposal, storage and recycling
- Engineering studies and design
- Project inspection
- Easement and right-of-way
- Project legal costs
- Purchase of equipment
- Pollution Control
If you have any questions regarding RIP, contact us at NMENV-cpbinfo@state.nm.us or 505-469-3365.