Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP)
The government established the Drinking Water Stewardship Program under the Clean Water Act to help landowners and small businesses take action to reduce threats to local drinking water sources. During Phase 1 (2007-2010), $21 million was made available for early actions to protect drinking water sources across the Province.
An additional $7 has been made available for Phase 2 (2011-2012) of the ODWSP to help individuals, businesses and municipalities reduce significant drinking water risks near municipal drinking water intakes and wells. Through the Program, grants help cover the costs of projects that protect municipal water supplies from contamination.
Who Is Eligible for Funding?
Property owners who voluntarily complete projects that address significant drinking water threats identified in the Trent or Ganaraska Assessment Reports are eligible
. The easiest way to find out if you are located in an eligible area is to call your local Conservation Authority (specific contacts located below).
What Types of projects are eligible?
This table provides an overview of the types of projects that may be eligible, grant rates and maximum grant rates. Please contact us for more information, a list of terms and conditions and to determine if there are other cost-sharing opportunities in your area.
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Project Type **
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Grant Rate*
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Maximum Grant
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Runoff & Erosion Protection (associated with agricultural operations)
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Improved manure land application practices
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50%
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$5,000
|
|
Manure storage
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70%
|
$60,000
|
|
Improved commercial fertilizer application practices
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25%
|
$1,500
|
|
Handling & storage of commercial fertilizer
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70%
|
$7,000
|
|
Farm yard runoff management
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70%
|
$14,000
|
|
Livestock fencing, watercourse buffers
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50%
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$5,000
|
|
Handling & Storage of Fuel
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Establish buffer zones
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50%
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$3,000
|
|
Storage construction, upgrades, backflow prevention
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70%
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$7,000
|
|
Wells
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Permanently plugging & capping an old well (decommissioning)
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80%
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$4,000
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Upgrading an existing well
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80%
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$4,000
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Connecting to a municipal drinking water line
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80%
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$4,000
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Septic Systems
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|
Inspecting, repairing, upgrading or replacing a system
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80%
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$7,000
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|
Connecting to a municipal sewer line
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80%
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$7,000
|
* Grant rate is 50% for large businesses (more than 500 employees) or large municipalities (greater than 20,000 residents)
** Other projects which address significant drinking water threats may be considered for funding. For more information contact your local Conservation Authority.
What costs are eligible?
- Contract labour
- Purchased materials and supplies
- Professional fees/technical support and fees for related design, inspection and construction
- HST
- Landowner labour ($20/hour time, $50/hour machine)
Application Deadlines
Limited funds are available across the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region. Eligible projects will be funded on a first come – first served basis. There will be five application periods:
- May 31, 2011
- August 31, 2011
- November 30, 2011
- March 31, 2012
- June 30, 2012
NOTE: A deadline of July 31, 2011 has been added to allow for additional review periods during the summer months when projects are most likely to be implemented.
For More Information
The program is being administered by the five Conservation Authorities in the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region: Crowe Valley Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Kawartha Conservation, Lower Trent Conservation, and Otonabee Conservation.
Contact your local Conservation Authority to learn more about grant rates and project eligibility;
Crowe Valley Conservation Authority
Email: Vicki Woolfrey , Source Water Protection Information Technician
Phone: 613- 472-3137
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
Email: Pam Lancaster, Stewardship Technician
Phone: 905-885-8173 ext. 247
Kawartha Conservation
Email: Shalin Abbott, Stewardship Coordinator
Phone: 705-328-2271 ext. 223
Lower Trent Conservation
Email: Caroline Zawadzka, Landowner Contact Specialist
Phone: 613-394-3915 ext. 225
Otonabee Conservation
Email: Meredith Carter, Manager, Environmental Services
Phone: 705-745-5791 ext. 223