Groundwater provides nearly all of the drinking water throughout the Miami Valley, and communities can now apply for funds to protect groundwater resources.

“Because our drinking water comes from groundwater, surface water or both, it’s vulnerable to contamination,” says Janet Bly, MCD general manager. “Cleaning up contamination or finding a new source of drinking water is complicated, costly and sometimes impossible. By creating source water protection plans or by incorporating groundwater protection strategies into comprehensive land use plans or watershed action plans, communities can protect groundwater resources from contamination.”

The Miami Conservancy District is making $250,000 available for projects that protect groundwater from contamination. Typical awards range from $10,000 to $50,000 with the community providing a 25-percent match. Communities in Shelby, Miami, Montgomery, Butler, Clark and Preble counties as well as portions of Warren, Hamilton and Greene counties are eligible.

Among the projects eligible for funding are land preservation, low impact development, groundwater monitoring services, and emergency planning and response. Communities also can apply for funds to help with developing source water protection plans.

Project proposals will be accepted through June 30 with awards announced no later than July 15. Projects may be started as soon as the project agreements are executed, but no later than Aug. 31, and must be completed within two years.
2008 Request for proposal
2008 Source Water Grant Application