Source Water Protection Local Assistance Grant Program (WA)

Source Water Protection Local Assistance Grant Program (WA)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Washington State Department Of Health
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Summary

The Source Water Protection Local Assistance Grant Program in Washington offers financial support for projects aimed at safeguarding drinking water sources. With up to $200,000 available annually, the program encourages local governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions to implement measures that reduce contamination risks. Eligible projects include planning studies, implementation of best management practices, and security enhancements to protect water sources. This initiative promotes long-term improvements in water quality and public health.

Overview

NOTE: Applications are accepted year around until available funding is spent. If you are considering a Source Water Protection grant, please work with your regional office to develop the scope of work and desired deliverables. About The Source Water protection grant program provides financial assistance to water systems and local governments for Group A source water protection. These funds are available to support drinking water protection projects that reduce the risk of contamination within a source water protection area. The program provides up to $200,000 annually to fund source water protection projects (up to $30,000 per project). Projects serving individual water systems are typically awarded up to $30,000. Projects for enhanced groundwater modeling, or regional projects serving multiple water systems may be awarded up to $100,000. Potential Projects Projects must be reasonably expected to provide long-term benefit to drinking water quality or quantity. Eligible activities can lead to reducing the risk of contamination of a system’s drinking water source(s), or they can evaluate or build resiliency for a public water supply. They must contribute to better protecting one or more public water supply sources. Below are some examples of projects that may be eligible for funding. Planning and StudiesPolicy, research, or legislative projects that identify appropriate protection measures, which, when implemented, would result in reduced risk to drinking water sources, such as:Improved protection area delineation, wellhead protection plans, and watershed control plans.Research to identify contaminant sources.Water quality monitoring.Hydrologic studies (not related to water rights or other water quantity regulatory requirements).Developing local source water protection ordinances or the critical aquifer recharge area component of critical areas ordinances.Developing restoration or conservation plans intended to improve source water quality.Identifying source catchment areas for future easement or land acquisition.Studying conversion from a surface water source to a protected groundwater source.Evaluating options to address known contaminants that exceed the trigger level or federally established lifetime health advisory level.Investigating declining source quantity due hydrologic change.Examining agricultural practices and conduction education/outreach on best management practices (BMP).ImplementationActivities that reduce risks within the source water contribution area, reduce contaminant concentration in the source water, or improve a system’s capacity to manage its water supply, such as:Education and information sharing (brochures, workshops, and media campaigns).BMP for reducing pollutants that directly affect a drinking water source.Properly decommissioning high-risk abandoned or unused (private or irrigation) wells that are close to a drinking water source.Reforestation or replanting projects in sensitive or riparian areas.Installing signs at wellhead protection area or watershed boundaries.Decommissioning onsite septic systems and connecting homes to existing sewer lines to address a water quality issue or sanitary control area violation.Restoration and/or conservation of source water protection areas’ ecological functions.Structures to divert contaminated storm water runoff affecting a source water protection area.Installing fencing to protect sensitive riparian source water protection areas.Implementing pollution prevention or waste reduction projects identified in an approved source water protection plan.Developing conservation easements to protect sensitive source water protection areas.Establishing management plans for easements or lands purchased within source water protection areas.Setting up an ecosystem services project (carbon sequestration, habitat, open space, etc.) in a watershed to fund preservation areas.Negotiations and technical documents for land purchases within source water protection areas.Establishing a water measurement program.SecuritySecurity measures to reduce the risk of contamination to the source water protection area or intake/well, such as:Fencing around sanitary control areas or intakes (purchase of materials).Gates for access points (purchase of materials).Installing security systems such as alarms, signs, cameras, locks, and lights.All such measures must protect highly sensitive source water areas, not just facilities or equipment.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible ApplicantsNonprofit Group A water system.Local governments.Conservation districts.Nonprofit organizations.Educational institutions.Tribes.The water supplier and/or local government(s) must demonstrate a commitment to developing, implementing, supporting and sustaining a local source water protection program after receiving funds.Projects must be initiated within 60 days of contract execution.

Ineligibility

Ineligible ProjectsProjects and project costs that are eligible for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).System operation and maintenance activities (water testing; repairs to water lines, tanks, wells, chemical feed pumps, or pumps; replacement of valves, pumps, or meters; dredging; or intake repairs).Routine or required follow-up monitoring.Funding for personnel or equipment associated with system operations or maintenance, treatment, land purchase, or system infrastructure upgrades or improvements (including water meters).Fencing around storage tanks or reservoirs.Security measures designed to reduce theft at or vandalism of non-source water facilities.Routine regulatory requirements for other programs.Project requiring long-term maintenance beyond the life of the grant.Projects where funding is passed through an ineligible entity (federal, state, or for- profit water system, etc.).Consolidation of existing water systems or creation of new water systems.Environmental or cultural review activities, even if associated with an eligible project.If a project cannot be initiated within 60 days, it is ineligible for funding.