The Town of Granville sits near the Vermont state line on the eastern border of Washington County in New York. Sitting on the Metowee River Valley between the Adirondack Mountains of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont, Granville includes the Village of Granville and several smaller hamlets, including North Granville. With a population of about 6,200, it is known historically as the “Colored Slate Capital of the World” for the rich slate deposits quarried in the area since the mid-1800s.
Many residents have been facing challenges surrounding aging private wells, and the North Granville area had been working to establish a new water district to provide reliable public drinking water service. As part of the Accelerating Access to Funding in EPA Region 2 project, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) provided technical assistance to the town as it navigated the complex process of establishing the district and securing funding.
Income Survey to Establish Funding Eligibility
Demonstrating that the North Granville Water District met income eligibility thresholds for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) was a critical step in the funding process. RCAP’s assistance in conducting an income survey provided an accurate picture of household incomes within the proposed service area, which increased the town’s competitiveness under the Intended Use Plan (IUP) scoring criteria used by New York State to prioritize DWSRF funding.
Securing a Major Grant Award
In January of 2026, the Town of Granville was awarded a $1,978,000 DWSRF grant for the North Granville Water District. This grant represents a major investment in drinking water infrastructure for a rural community that has had limited access to public water service. This award will fund the construction of a new water district and provide residents with a safe, reliable, and publicly managed drinking water supply.
Looking Ahead
RCAP will continue to provide the water district with assistance in securing and implementing the grant award for this project. This includes supporting the town through the design, procurement, and construction phases, as well as helping to ensure compliance with state requirements. Granville’s success illustrates how targeted technical assistance, particularly in helping communities conduct income surveys to establish funding eligibility, can unlock significant public investment for rural water infrastructure.
Facing a similar challenge in your community? SU-EFC and our bench of partners provide no-cost technical assistance to help communities across EPA Region 2 plan projects, access funding, and move water infrastructure priorities forward.
Learn more and request assistance today: efc.syr.edu/assistance
