Georgia is getting nearly $500 million in federal funding to help communities impacted by Hurricane Helene strengthen drinking water and wastewater systems and prepare for future water-related emergencies.
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Gov. Brian Kemp announced Thursday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the state $499,385,000 through the 2025 American Relief Act.
The funding will be administered by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.
Communities receiving the money must have been impacted by Helene and propose projects designed to reduce flood damage or make drinking water and wastewater systems more resilient to rapid changes in water conditions and natural disasters.
The funding is divided into five categories:
- $359.5 million for drinking water projects
- $124.9 million for wastewater projects
- $8.96 million for decentralized wastewater, including septic systems
- $3.3 million for emergency wastewater needs
- $2.75 million for emergency drinking water needs
“This funding will help accelerate that ongoing work,” Kemp said, referring to recovery efforts following Helene.
Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage across Georgia in 2024, particularly in parts of the state hit by flooding and severe weather.
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GEFA issued a call for projects in fall 2025 as the state prepared for the federal funding award. A list of submitted and fundable projects is available through GEFA.
The first group of individual project awards is expected to go before the GEFA board of directors for consideration at its November meeting.
The funding also includes money to help communities respond to drinking water and wastewater emergencies.
For more information about the funding, GEFA provided the email helenefunding@gefa.ga.gov.
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