Groundwater conservation grant funds for cities!

GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION GRANTS

Groundwater conservation grants fund municipal projects that conserve groundwater resources or promote groundwater conservation through education and/or behavior change in the Nine Mile Creek watershed.

Projects must support one or both of the following goals:

  • Protect and preserve groundwater quality and quantity
  • Promote groundwater conservation through education and/or behavior change

Eligibility

The cities of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Richfield are eligible to apply for these funds.

Project Types

Examples of eligible projects include:

  • Support for city run programs, like water conservation rebate programs
    • Examples: WaterSense fixtures, toilets, sprinkler bodies, and irrigation controllers; rain sensors and rain barrels (Energy Star appliances will not be funded through this program)
  • Water audit programs
    • Examples: water audit implementation within a city or water audit consultation fees
    • Implementing recommendations from water audits
  • Funding for education programs and materials about groundwater conservation
    • Examples: turf maintenance or turf alternatives workshops, purchasing education materials and tools for teaching about groundwater conservation (groundwater models)
  • Smart water meter programs

Other projects may be eligible for funding if they support the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District’s (NMCWD) groundwater conservation goals.

Funding

The maximum groundwater conservation grant funding an applicant can receive in a year is $25,000.

Grants are awarded for up to 90% of a project’s cost, on a reimbursement basis for project implementation. The applicant must provide a minimum of 10% match on the grant.

In 2021, NMCWD has $100,000 in grant funding available for groundwater conservation grants.

Apply for a Grant

To apply for a groundwater conservation grant, complete the following steps:

  1. Read the Groundwater Conservation Grant Guidelines
  2. Fill out a Groundwater Conservation Grant Application
  3. Fill out a Groundwater Conservation Budget Worksheet
  4. Submit via email to: esniegowski@ninemilecreek.org

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funding is gone.

Reporting and Reimbursement

Final Reports

If you have completed your grant project, a copy of the final report form to fill out and return is below. This form must be submitted to the District within 30 days of project completion.

Groundwater Final Report Form (Word)

In-Progress Reimbursement

The District will reimbursed for cost share project expenses throughout the grant period upon submitting a progress report and receipts/paid invoices. The District will hold the final 10% of the grant until the project is successfully completed and a final report is submitted and approved.

Reimbursement Progress Report Form (Word)

Questions?

Contact Erica at NMCWD with questions: esniegowski@ninemilecreek.org or 952-358-2276.