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The Tap into Resilience Toolkit

Your source for practical, actionable information on decentralized water infrastructure

Welcome to the Tap into Resilience Toolkit

Welcome to the TiR Toolkit! The Toolkit is an interactive resource for utility decision makers, management, and staff.

Onsite, localized water infrastructure has tremendous potential to address our communities water needs – from drinking water to wastewater to stormwater management. But scaling up investment in and implementation of these solutions and strategies can be challenging.

You’re in the right place. The Tap into Resilience Toolkit is a resource with answers to your financing, tax, accounting, and legal questions that arise when scaling investment in decentralized solutions. The Toolkit includes interactive financing and implementing modules, videos, a resource library, a portal to receive pro-bono support, and much much more.

The Toolkit is here to help you explore, plan for, finance and adopt localized infrastructure solutions like water use efficiency programs, green infrastructure, and onsite reuse.

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Localized Infrastructure Decision-Making Framework

To explore lessons from learned from TiR Case Studies click through WaterNow’s 10-part decision-making framework for deploying localized water infrastructure strategies at larger scale as best fit a community’s particular needs.

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Water Equity and Climate Resilience for Frontline Communities

Find resources tailored to communities across the U.S. that face the first, and worst, impacts of water management challenges, including poor water quality and sanitation, flooding, and contamination and other impacts associated with stormwater runoff—all of which are exacerbated by climate change—in the Frontline Communities module.

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What Are My Financing Options?

To learn about accessing capital dollars and other revenue streams to pay for decentralized water infrastructure and solutions to common legal, financial and accounting questions that arise when increasing investments in these environmentally friendly programs click through the “What Are My Financing Options?” sections.

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Localized Water Infrastructure Implementation Strategies

To learn about common challenges – and corresponding solutions – for public utilities deploying decentralized strategies on public property not directly owned or controlled by the water utility (“public non-utility property”) and private property click through the “Localized Water Infrastructure Implementation Strategies” section.

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Benefits of Publicly Owned Water Systems

To learn about the benefits of public ownership of water systems, what privatization entails, and public private partnerships click through the “Benefits of Publicly Owned Water Systems” section.

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Toolkit Quick Reference Library

Click here for quick references to Toolkit resources, example documents, and case studies.

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Ask an Expert

Connect with Tap into Resilience expert panelists.

Ask an Expert

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TiR Toolkit Introduction

Watch a short instructional video about how to use the TiR Toolkit.

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Localized Infrastructure Decision-Making Framework

As part of the Innovation in Action: 21st Century Water Infrastructure Solutions report, WaterNow has distilled lessons from Tap into Resilience case studies across the country into a 10-part, high-level decision-making framework for deploying localized water infrastructure strategies at larger scale. This guidance can be adapted and used by local communities as the basis for implementing localized water strategies that best fit the community’s particular needs.

This module of the Toolkit makes the decision-making framework interactive and easily accessible. Just click on the sections below to find an overview of that step in the decision-making process along with direct links to relevant case studies, related TiR Toolkit modules, and other resources in the Toolkit Quick Reference Library.

Explore for yourself to start implementing!

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Water Equity and Climate Resilience for Frontline Communities

Welcome to the WaterNow’s Frontline Communities module! This Toolkit module is for utility leaders nationwide facing the first, and worst, water challenges—from flooding, to drought to basement backups to water contamination and more—all of which are exacerbated by climate change.

The Water Equity and Climate Resilience for Frontline Communities module is designed to help leaders at all levels within drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities and public works departments navigate these challenges, building their knowledge, skills and abilities to be changemakers and solve for these complex problems. Within this part of the TiR Toolkit you will find a set of resources curated to address the pressing needs of communities at the forefront of the struggle for clean, safe, healthy, and reliable water services for everyone.

There are 6 major sections, starting with: What is a Frontline Community? Other topics include: Meeting Water Challenges with localized Water Infrastructure, Equitable & Affordable Water Infrastructure Investments, Building Capacity Through Partnerships, and Avoiding Water Shutoffs. We are particularly excited about our Storymap, an interactive ArcGIS-based portal to case studies and solutions developed to help water leaders quickly identify similarly situated communities and others working to address locally relevant challenges. Looking for a quick walkthrough of the module before you dive in? Check out our TiR Toolkit: Frontline Communities Module Overview video!

Under each tab, you’ll find an overview of that topic, as well as in-depth resources for download, explanatory videos, and examples and case studies. You can sort the All Resources library by “TIR Toolkit” if you’re looking for quick access Toolkit resources.

The Frontline Communities Module was developed with the support of our 2021 Emerging Leader Awardees, as well as an extraordinary assemblage of thought leaders working in the equity space who serve on WaterNow’s TiR Equity Advisory Group. We are very grateful for their engagement and support for this initiative. This is intended to be a living, evolving resource to best meet the needs of local water utility leaders, so your feedback and thoughts are critical. There are opportunities to provide your thoughts and comments throughout the Toolkit sections below, just keep an eye out for a “Click here” button. You can also share your feedback via the form linked below.

Click here

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What are my financing options?

The financing sections cover

Utility Costs & Revenue Sources

Debt Financing Localized Infrastructure

Accessing state, federal, and philanthropic funding

Materials are revealed as you move through the Toolkit by clicking on the sections below. Under each tab you’ll find an overview of that topic, in-depth resources for download and further reading, explanatory videos, a searchable database, example ordinances and agreements, and much more. Sort the All Resources library by “TIR Toolkit” if you’re looking for quick access to a specific resource.

Explore for yourself to start implementing!

In addition to operating budget funds and debt proceeds, utilities can access state, federal, and philanthropic dollars to help finance localized water infrastructure in their communities. These sources of funding are attractive because, although they may require more administrative work and advance planning to obtain, they can offer some very low-cost debt and, in some cases, grants or debt forgiveness.

Click through the sections below to learn about State Revolving Funds, the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program, Housing and Urban Development’s Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, and the role philanthropy can play in increasing investments in localized water infrastructure.

Established in 2010, the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program provides federal leadership and financial assistance for the efficient use of water in the Western United States. Each year, Reclamation allocates millions of dollars in grant funding through the WaterSMART Program to support Western States, tribes, and local water providers as they plan and implement actions to advance their water efficiency and supply reliability priorities.

Click through the sub-sections below to learn about what WaterSMART is, the types of projects eligible for WaterSMART funding, program resources and notifications, Water & Energy Efficiency Grants, Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects, Environmental Water Resources Projects, Drought Resiliency Projects, Planning and Project Design Grants, Water Conservation Field Services ProgramAquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program, Cooperative Watershed Management Program, and WaterNow’s WaterSMART Grant Application Support and Help Desk Program.

The Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP) provides funding to grassroots, local watershed groups to develop collaborative solutions with diverse stakeholders to address water management needs. Funding is provided on a competitive basis to support the development of watershed groups, watershed management project design, and watershed restoration planning. 

USBR defines a watershed group as a “self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based group that is composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, Federal, state, or local agencies, and tribes.”

The CWMP is segmented into two phases. Phase 1 focuses on watershed group development and restoration planning. Applicants may use Phase 1 funding to perform stakeholder outreach, develop a mission statement and bylaws, develop a watershed restoration plan, develop watershed management project concepts, and complete watershed management project design work. USBR awards up to $300k ($100k per year for a period of up to three years) for Phase 1 grants, with no non-Federal cost share required.

To implement watershed management projects (Phase 2), watershed groups can apply for the Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity

Example evaluation criteria from FY25 are included below.

Reclamation typically awards 20-30 projects annually, contingent on Federal appropriations. For example, in FY22 Reclamation awarded $3.8 million in CWMP Phase 1 funding to 21 communities. USBR announced that they expect 25-30 awards per application submittal period in FY25 depending on the amount requested by each applicant and the amount of funding available.

Complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notifications and to stay up to date on upcoming grant opportunities. 

Cooperative Watershed Management Program Fact Sheet

This funding opportunity is currently open! The first application deadline is May 20, 2025.

Read more

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Explore localized water infrastructure implementation strategies

The implementation strategies sections of the Tap into Resilience Toolkit cover common challenges that arise when public utilities deploy decentralized strategies on public property not directly owned or controlled by the water utility, i.e., “public non-utility property,” and private property and corresponding solutions to those challenges.

Materials are revealed as you move through the Toolkit by clicking on the sections below. Under each tab you’ll find an overview of that topic, in-depth resources for download and further reading, explanatory videos, a searchable database, example ordinances and agreements, and much more. Additional materials are revealed as you move through the Toolkit. Sort the All Resources library by “TIR Toolkit” if you’re looking for quick access to a specific resource.

Explore for yourself to start implementing!

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Benefits of Publicly Owned Water Systems

Welcome to the Benefits of Publicly Owned Water Systems module!  The Benefits of Publicly Owned Water Systems module is designed for local municipal and governmental leaders nationwide facing questions about the benefits of public ownership of water systems, as well as what privatization entails, public private partnerships, and everything in between. These TiR Toolkit sections provide mechanisms, strategies, resources and support for publicly owned drinking water systems as they navigate questions about engaging with private service providers. Decision-makers, utility management, and staff are encouraged to explore the Toolkit, and share your feedback or questions with WaterNow.

You can move through the module by clicking on the three sections below: Value of Public Water Systems; Partnership vs. Privatization; and Best Practices for Private Service Contracts. Looking for a quick walkthrough before you dive in? Check out our TiR Toolkit: Benefits of Publicly Owned Water Systems overview video!

Under each tab you’ll find an overview of that topic, in-depth resources for download and further reading, summary explainers, and much more. Sort the All Resources library by “TIR Toolkit” if you’re looking for quick access to a specific resource.

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Quick Reference: Toolkit Resources, Example Documents, and Case Studies

The Toolkit covers over 60 different topic areas related to localized water infrastructure. But are you looking for quick access to a specific Tap into Resilience Toolkit resource? Sort the All Resources Library by “TIR Toolkit” to find all the resources included in the Toolkit subsections in one place. Use the Toolkit Reference Guide to get an overview of the Toolkit and link directly to particular subsections.

Tap into Resilience Expert Panelists

The TiR expert panel is a team of tax, accounting, financing, auditing, municipal bond, and water infrastructure experts including attorneys, accountants, auditors, investors, economists, and consultants to help make sustainable, localized water management a reality for communities across the nation. Click the names below to learn about our panelists’ areas of expertise. To connect with one of the TiR Experts fill out the short form linked below.

Ask an Expert

Acknowledgements

The TIR Toolkit was developed and produced by WaterNow Alliance with contribution and support from numerous local water leaders working in utilities and cities across the country, as well as municipal financing and legal experts, and other WaterNow partners. WaterNow would like to thank and acknowledge everyone who contributed to the TIR Toolkit’s development and continuing evolution.

DISCLAIMER

These materials are not offered as or intended to be legal advice. Readers should seek the advice of an attorney when confronted with legal issues. Attorneys should perform an independent evaluation of the issues raised in these materials. By providing these materials WaterNow does not endorse, either expressly or by implication, their accuracy or legality and expressly disclaims any and all liabilities and warranties related to their use.

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Tap into Resilience

A WaterNow Alliance Initiative

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