Preliminary Engineering Report (PER):

A PER is the basic engineering document in an application for funding from Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal program.

The PER describes the need for a project, presents an analysis of alternatives to the proposed project, including a life cycle present worth cost analysis of any feasible alternatives, a description of the proposed project, a detailed construction cost estimate, a total project cost estimate, and an annual operating budget.

This document is submitted along with a complete application to the Rural Development Processing Office for review. Note that the PER and Environmental Report should be submitted at the same time. The Processing Office sends the PER to the State Engineer for a full review prior to consideration for funding.

The following RUS Bulletins outline in detail the required content of a PER:

RUS Bulletin 1780-2, "Preliminary Engineering Report Water Facilities"

RUS Bulletin 1780-3, "Preliminary Engineering Report Wastewater Facilities"

RUS Bulletin 1780-4, "Preliminary Engineering Report Solid Waste Management Facilities"

RUS Bulletin 1780-5, "Preliminary Engineering Report Storm Water Facilities"

If you have questions regarding engineering policy at the national level, please contact Ben Shuman, PE, Senior Environmental Engineer, at 202-720-1784 or ben.shuman@wdc.usda.gov or Jon Melhus, PE, Senior Civil Engineer, at 202-720-7817 or jon.melhus@wdc.usda.gov