Department loan programs
The DNR administers the following loan programs.
Clean Water Fund Program (CWFP)
Eligibility and Purpose: Provides subsidized (low interest) loans to communities within Wisconsin for publicly owned wastewater and water quality-related storm water infrastructure projects that are needed to protect water quality and achieve or maintain compliance with federal and state regulations, such as a municipality's Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit. Review CWFP project and cost eligibilities. It also includes pilot projects to fund non-traditional projects (i.e. projects not related to a traditional wastewater treatment, collection system, or storm water project). Note that storm water projects must lead to or provide treatment to control discharged water quality in order to be eligible for funding from the CWFP.
Deadline: The applicable deadlines are set in the annual CWFP intended use plan for the upcoming fiscal years.
- Jan. 15, 2027 is the notice of intent to apply (ITA) deadline for the state fiscal year (SFY) 2028 funding cycle.
- Sept. 30, 2027 is the financial assistance application deadline if requesting principal forgiveness (PF) for the SFY 2028 funding cycle.
- Applications may be submitted at any time during the state fiscal year; however, a complete application must be submitted by the deadline to be ranked on the funding list in priority score order for the purpose of allocating loan funds and PF. Complete, eligible applications received after the submittal deadline will be eligible for loan funding, if available, and will not be eligible for general PF (aka base program PF).
Contact: Lisa Bushby, Lisa.Bushby@wisconsin.gov, 608-358-3330
County Forest Project Loan
Eligibility and Purpose: Counties with lands enrolled in the County Forest Law are eligible to apply for interest free loans to be used for meritorious and economically productive forestry operations including land acquisition. Funds may not be used for construction of recreational facilities or fish and game projects. Projects must be consistent with the county forest comprehensive land use plan (15-year plan).
Maximum Award: Cannot exceed 25% of available funding.
Match: None
Contact: Doug Brown, Douglas.Brown@wisconsin.gov, 715-966-0157
County Forest Variable Acreage Share Loan
Eligibility and Purpose: Counties with lands enrolled in the County Forest Law are eligible to apply for interest-free loans to be used for the purchase, development, preservation and maintenance of County Forest lands. Projects must be consistent with the county forest comprehensive land use plan (15-year plan).
Maximum Award: $.10-.50 per acre of land enrolled as "regular class" County Forest.
Match: None
Deadline: Applications due by December 31
Contact: Doug Brown, Douglas.Brown@wisconsin.gov, 715-966-0157
Ready for Reuse Loans
Eligibility and Purpose: Cleanup of hazardous substance and petroleum contamination at brownfields.
Deadline: Applications accepted year-round, as long as funding is available.
Contact: Gena Larson, Gena.Larson@wisconsin.gov, 608-261-5404
Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP)
Eligibility and Purpose: Provides subsidized (low interest) loans to communities within Wisconsin for publicly owned drinking water infrastructure projects that are needed to protect public health and achieve or maintain compliance with federal and state regulations relating to water supply. Review SDWLP project and cost eligibilities. There are funding options for lead service line (LSL) replacements.
Deadline: The applicable deadlines are set in the annual SDWLP intended use plan for the upcoming fiscal years.
- Jan. 15, 2027 is the notice of intent to apply (ITA) deadline for the state fiscal year (SFY) 2028 funding cycle.
- June 30, 2027 is the financial assistance application deadline if requesting principal forgiveness (PF) for the SFY 2028 funding cycle.
- Applications may be submitted at any time during the state fiscal year; however, a complete application must be submitted by the deadline to be ranked on the funding list in priority score order for the purpose of allocating loan funds and PF. Complete, eligible applications received after the submittal deadline will be eligible for loan funding, if available, and will not be eligible for general PF (aka base program PF).
Contact: Noah Balgooyen, Noah.Balgooyen@wisconsin.gov, 608-720-0802