Please Note:
Projects needing funding within the next year should continue using the current application process. The first UWIP funding process is not expected to be fully implemented until mid-2026. Please visit the Water Resources Board funding page which includes distinctive application deadlines for more immediate funding. Or, these pages for immediate Drinking Water Board funding application deadlines or Water Quality Board funding opportunities.
Summary
- Utah is creating a comprehensive list of water infrastructure projects that will potentially need state funds.
- Water infrastructure projects must be on the list to qualify for funding assistance.
- The project submission form for 2025 is now closed. The deadline for submissions was May 9. Submissions will be reopened in 2026.
Utah’s new Water Infrastructure Fund
In 2024, the Utah Legislature passed HB 280. Among other things, this bill created the Water Infrastructure Fund, a new approach to funding water infrastructure projects in the state of Utah. The Water Infrastructure Fund is intended to improve the process of funding water infrastructure by engaging in proactive infrastructure planning and greater collaboration between funding agencies.
Implementation of the new funding process can be broken into three initial components:
- Integration of Existing Funds Study – HB 280 required the completion of two studies. The first study was completed in October of 2024 to analyze and recommend consolidation of existing funds available for water infrastructure projects. This study provides a more detailed outline of funding approach changes envisioned by HB 280.
- Infrastructure Fee Study – The second study authorized by HB 280 will consider whether to impose a new fee to fund water infrastructure projects. The study will consider current funding sources and mechanisms, where shortfalls exist, how a new fee might be assessed and how the revenue might be equitably distributed statewide. It is scheduled to be completed by October 31, 2025.
- Unified Water Infrastructure Plan – The studies above will inform the creation of a new Unified Water Infrastructure Plan (UWIP). The UWIP will be a comprehensive prioritized list of water infrastructure projects that will be used to determine which projects will be eligible for future funding from the Water Infrastructure Fund and/or state agency funds. This page provides details on how entities can get their future projects included in the UWIP.
HB 280 includes several milestones that are to be accomplished to implement the new Water Infrastructure Fund as part of the State Water Plan. The following timeline shows the schedule and tasks that were included in the bill.
Unified Water Infrastructure Plan
The UWIP is being created as a comprehensive prioritized list of water infrastructure projects that will potentially need financial assistance through state funds. This plan will be created and administered by the Water Development Coordinating Council. The agencies included in the council provide financial assistance for a large portion of water infrastructure projects in the state. The agencies that will be most involved in the UWIP include:
- Division of Water Resources through the Board of Water Resources
- Division of Drinking Water through the Drinking Water Board
- Division of Water Quality through the Water Quality Board
The plan will improve coordination between these agencies and simplify the process for entities that are seeking funding for water infrastructure projects. The plan will allow the state to assemble water infrastructure needs and priorities in a single, comprehensive location. The list of projects identified will help the council determine where funds should be allocated and when additional funds need to be requested from the state. All water infrastructure entities that currently need and/or expect to request funds from the relevant agencies will need to have their projects included in the UWIP to receive consideration for future funding.
How to get your project added to the Unified Water Infrastructure Plan
The Division of Water Resources is working with the consultant team of Bowen Collins & Associates and Brown & Caldwell to compile a list of water infrastructure projects for consideration in the UWIP. The process in 2025 was:
- February and March 2025 – Initial informational campaign. This period was used to inform the water infrastructure community regarding the upcoming UWIP process. Resources such as this web page are used to recruit entity and project participation. These efforts were intended to inform water infrastructure entities of the importance of having projects in the UWIP to be considered for future funding.
- April 7, 2025 – UWIP Project Database form made available. One challenge with the creation of the UWIP is the large number of projects expected to pursue funding. To assist with data collection and organization, a digital submission process has been defined for all project information. All interested entities needed to submit project data in a defined format useful for subsequent analysis and evaluation.
- May 9, 2025 – Deadline for initial project submission. Water infrastructure entities needed to enter their project information by May 9 in order to make the 2025 list.
Add your project info to the UWIP Project Database form
Interested water infrastructure entities should add their project information using the submission process found below. Only projects entered into the database before the deadline will be considered for initial UWIP funding.
If you have questions or need further information, please email: UWIPprojects@utah.gov