2019 NHDES Local Source Water Protection Grant Applications Are Now Available! Due 11/1/18

2018-06-27

Funding is available from the Department of Environmental Services to develop and implement programs to protect existing sources of public drinking water. The grants are available to water suppliers, municipalities, regional planning agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, conservation districts, and state agencies. Applicants can receive up to $20,000 for projects that protect drinking water sources, including watershed planning, delineation of protection areas, assessment of threats to water supply sources, “on the ground” implementation projects, and source security.

RPC has worked with several towns interested in source water protection grants and has successfully received grants from the last three grant rounds. Contact

Examples of projects include:

• Seabrook Groundwater Reclassification - aimed to better protect groundwater drinking water supply areas that extended into neighboring towns.
• Fremont Aquifer Protection Ordinance Update - aimed to update town land use regulations to better protect the town's extensive groundwater resources.
• Source Water Protection Education (coming in early summer 2018!) - aimed to provide overview of drinking water supply status and prioritizes protection efforts for all 27 RPC communities.

Contact RPC if your community is interested in working on a source water protection project - we can help with grant writing and/or the project itself!

The application packet is now available online to provide sufficient lead time for applicants to work with stakeholders to determine what protections are necessary to address potential contamination threats, coordinate with working partners, and determine a budget. NHDES is happy to confer with potential applicants in advance of the development of an application.

Examples of projects: (a summary of past projects is posted to the website below)

• Development and adoption of municipal groundwater protection regulations similar to NHDES models.
• Security improvements such as fencing, gates, or cameras.
• The creation and implementation of local source water protection plans.
• Certain transactional costs associated with land conservation to protect drinking water sources.
• Education and outreach campaigns.
• Projects which prepare first responders to protect public water supplies.
• The implementation of stormwater best management practices.
• Completing state Groundwater Reclassification for community well(s)

For more information visit - https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/dwspp/lswp_grants.htm