Source Water Protection Strategies Grant

Source Water Protection Strategies Grant is sponsored by Ohio EPA. This grant opportunity reimburses costs for source water protection strategies. Priority is given to public water systems with a high susceptibility to contamination and that use groundwater as their source.

PWS Grants for Source Water Protection Strategies PWS Grants for Source Water Protection Strategies Published 01/02/2024 02:29 PM Updated 09/23/2026 12:26 PM Guidelines for Source Water Protection Strategies (SWAP) Grants Ohio community public water systems.

Public water systems with smaller populations and public water systems that have a high susceptibility to contamination as well as systems with high-risk potential contaminant sources within their inner management zones/corridor management zones or source water protection areas will be prioritized for funding.

These funds will be used to support the implementation of specific and measurable protective strategies to help protect source water for Ohio’s community public water systems. Awards are limited to a maximum of $20,000 in reimbursable funds per proposed strategy for implementation. Only costs incurred during the project period are eligible for reimbursement.

The public water system must provide documentation of implementation of the protection strategy within 60 days of the end of the project period to receive reimbursement. 1. Creation or improvement of the PWS’s website to provide information specific to source water protection and protection of the community water supply.

2. Development of source water protection brochures, posters, lesson plans and related materials for use in schools and/or to distribute to local residents, businesses, farmers. 3.

Purchase of sand tank model or watershed model. 4. Purchasing of source water protection signs (following Ohio source water protection sign templates) to install at the delineated source water protection area boundaries.

5. Spill protection materials for portable spill kits to provide to businesses in the community within the source water protection area. 6.

Purchasing spill containment booms to protect public water system surface water intakes in case of upstream releases. 7. Installation of early warning ground water monitoring wells between the PWS wellfield and a high-risk potential contaminant source (costs to include the driller and materials and supplies).

8. Installation of semi-permanent surface water quality monitoring instrumentation to monitor water quality upstream of a PWS intake. 9.

Implementation of BMPs in the corridor management zone such as: a) Tile/water control structures in fields that can reduce nutrient, pathogen, and pesticide loading from drainage systems into downstream receiving waters, b) Riparian planting (trees) as buffers, c) Water retention features (wetlands, retention basins, WASCOBs, grassed waterways (stacking).

*BMPs in the source water protection area may be approved, depending on the justification provided in the application. Protective Strategies other than the list above may be approved, depending on grant applications received and funding available. Application and Deadlines This online application form is intended for grant requests for funding not to exceed $20,000 per strategy.

For this funding round, online applications are open from November 2, 2026 to December 18, 2026 at 3pm. A written award or denial will be issued by Ohio EPA within 90 days from the close of the application. If funding is available after the original application period Ohio EPA will open an additional application period(s).

A grant award letter, instructions for obtaining reimbursement and a grant agreement will be sent to all applicants approved for a grant. It is not a fully executed grant agreement until it is signed by both the system and Ohio EPA. Grants may only be requested for eligible items or services obtained on or after a fully executed grant agreement is in place.

Reimbursement must be requested within 9 months of the final signature date on the fully executed grant agreement, unless an extension is granted in writing from Ohio EPA.

Upon receipt of the fully executed agreement the applicant will have 9 months from the date of the fully executed agreement to complete the activities specified in their application, submit proof of purchase (receipts) and submit acceptable asset management plan documents (as applicable), and a reimbursement request to Ohio EPA .

Upon receipt of the proof of purchase, proof of payment, and reimbursement request, Ohio EPA will issue payment to the public water system reimbursing the project costs, up to the amount of the award. Where applicable, the public water system must also comply with Ohio ethics laws and conflict of interest laws; the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 USC Section 701, et. seq.)

; state regulations covering non-discrimination in hiring and affirmative action (ORC 125. 111); and the PWS Authorizing Agent/owner or spouse, as applicable under ORC 3517. 13(I) or ORC 3517.

13(J), has not made, within the two previous years, one or more contributions totaling in excess of $1,000 to the Governor or his campaign committees. Ohio EPA reserves the right to award the full amount requested, award a partial amount requested, or decline to fund any application. NOTE: Please round all currency values to whole dollar amounts in your application.

Click the Submit an Application tab above to access the online application. For questions regarding the online application or the grant process, please email inquiries to: DDAGW. Grants@epa.

ohio. gov