The sum of one hundred eighty million dollars ($180,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Health Services for grants for small community drinking water system infrastructure improvements and related actions to meet safe drinking water standards. Priority shall be given to projects that address chemical and nitrate contaminants, other health hazards and by whether the community is disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged. Special consideration shall be given to small communities with limited financial resources. Eligible recipients include public agencies and incorporated mutual water companies that serve disadvantaged communities. The Department of Health Services may make grants for the purpose of financing feasibility studies and to meet the eligibility requirements for a construction grant. Construction grants shall be limited to $5,000,000 per project and not more than twenty five percent of a grant may be awarded in advance of actual expenditures. The Department of Health Services may expend up to $5,000,000 of the funds allocated in this section for technical assistance to eligible communities.

(Added November 7, 2006, by initiative Proposition 84.)