Section 41-3-16, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, created the Drinking Water Systems Emergency Loan Fund Program (DWSELF). This program provides loans to counties, municipalities, districts, or other (tax exempt) water organizations for emergency construction, repair, or replacement of drinking water facilities. This entirely state-funded loan program provides a ready funding source for such emergency projects without the federal cross-cutter requirements required in the Drinking Water Systems Improvements Revolving Loan Fund (DWSIRLF) Program, thereby saving valuable time and expense. This Program eliminates the need to address emergency loans in the DWSIRLF. The Board encourages eligible water organizations throughout the state to utilize this program whenever emergency drinking water projects are needed.
The basic provisions of this program are: 1) a current interest rate of 2.0%; 2) a maximum single loan amount as determined by the Board; 3) a maximum repayment period of five (5) years; and 4) the project must meet the definition of an emergency as established in the program regulations. It is also important to note that loan recipients do not pay interest during the original construction period (capitalized interest), and that loan repayments do not begin until after project completion.
Allowable costs for the project may not be incurred prior to the budget period established in the loan agreement, which may not begin more than 30 days prior to receipt of the loan application.
Costs for the project will be paid on a reimbursement basis, based upon the actual allowable expenditures of the loan recipient.
Miss. Code. tit. 33, pt. 5, Appendices, app 33-5-J