Now is the time to work on grant applications for opportunities offered by the Desalination and Water Purification Research Program and Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program.

Take a look at how a Florida department plans to revitalize more than 70 freshwater springs spanning 600 acres.

The USDA investment will help fund 85 water and wastewater projects in 39 states.

Applicants will be judged on 20 criteria before peer reviewers choose finalists for the 15-week program.

The Dire States Equipment Grant is open to municipal, county and other local governments to help offset the costs of building or repairing critical infrastructure.

Here's how reduced funding might affect an important wastewater training program at the Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.