This project provides grants, partnerships, and rebates for agencies, organizations, and individuals for water conservation, pollution prevention, creek cleanups and education, wildlife habitat restoration and wildlife corridors and crossings, and access to trails and open space. Eligible projects include water conservation; recycled water programs and infrastructure; pollution prevention programs; watershed stewardship; creek cleanups; education; and developing plans and/or implementing projects that create or enhance wetland, riparian and tidal marsh habitat; protect special status species; improve fish passage and habitat; remove non-native, invasive plant species; plant native species; partnerships to remove flood-inducing blockages, and provide access to creekside trails or trails that provide a significant link to the creekside trail network.
KPI #1: Provide a grant and partnership cycle each year for projects related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
The FY25 Standard Grant Cycle closed on March 28, 2025, and a total of 42 applications were received.
On June 24, 2025, the Board awarded 13 standard grants for a total of $1,837,616. Valley Water is working with grantees to draft and finalize grant agreements for execution.
The FY26 Standard Grant Cycle will be announced in late 2025 and is expected to open in early 2026.
Visit valleywater.org/standardgrants to learn more about the standard grant funding opportunity.
Visit valleywater.org/grants for more information about grant opportunities available and sign up to receive updates.
For a cumulative list of standard grants awarded from FY22 to present, please visit: tinyurl.com/SCWgrants
For a cumulative list of standard grants and partnerships awarded prior to FY22, please visit: tinyurl.com/SCWgrants2012.
Redesigned Standard Grants Program (January 2025)
The redesigned Standard Grants cycle was launched on January 23, 2025. Key updates to the Standard Grant Program include:
Grants are recategorized into four project categories: Education Grants, Planning Grants, Stewardship Grants, and Implementation Grants.
Reduce match funding requirements.
Full funding of up to $150,000 per project.
Streamlined application, agreement, and invoicing processes.
Grantee insurance costs associated with the grant project will now be eligible for reimbursement.
KPI #2: Provide annual funding for bottle filling stations to increase drinking water accessibility, with priority for installations in economically disadvantaged communities and locations that serve school-age children and students.
The water bottle filling station (Refill Station) grant funding opportunity provides grant funding to support access to clean drinking water in Santa Clara County. $100,000 is available year-round on a rolling basis, and $5,000 is awarded per station. In FY26 Q1 (July 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025), a total of $10,000 Safe, Clean Water Refill Station funds were awarded to two (2) new refill station projects.
Funding is still available for refill station grants.
Visit valleywater.org/refillstation for bottle filling station criteria, applicant eligibility, and application information.
KPI #3: Provide annual mini-grant funding opportunity for projects related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
The Mini-Grant Program continues with dedicated annual funding and now has broader eligibility and a streamlined application process. Starting in FY25, the mini-grant award limit was increased from $5,000 to $10,000 per project. A total of $100,000 is available year-round on a rolling basis. In FY26 Q1 (July 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025), a total of $40,000 in Safe, Clean Water mini-grant funds were awarded to four (4) new mini-grant projects.
Funding is still available for mini-grants.
Visit valleywater.org/minigrants for mini-grant project criteria, applicant eligibility and application information.
For a list of mini-grants awarded since FY22, please visit tinyurl.com/SCWgrants.
For a cumulative list of mini-grants awarded prior to FY22, please visit: tinyurl.com/SCWgrants2012.
KPI #4: Provide up to $3 million per 15-year period for a Creekside Neighbor Rebate Program for watershed activities, including bank repair, sediment removal, and downed tree management.
On May 30, 2025, Valley Water launched the Creekside Neighbor Rebate Program, which provides financial assistance to property owners who undertake creek maintenance projects such as bank stabilization (erosion repair), sediment, vegetation, or debris removal, and storm drain outfall repair. Rebates of up to $150,000 are available for qualifying construction and permit costs. The program was developed following the Valley Water Board of Directors' decision on April 9, 2024, to modify the KPI, creating the new rebate-based program.
Learn more about the Pilot Creekside Neighbor Rebate Program
October 2025
For more information:
Grants and Partnerships
- More about the Grants & Partnerships Program
- Amy Fonseca, (408) 630-3005
- Sign up to receive notifications for all of Valley Water's upcoming grant cycles at valleywater.org/grants
Bottle Filling Stations
- Amy Fonseca, (408) 630-3005
Creekside Neighbor Program
- Yvonne Arroyo, (408) 630-2319
FY22-36 Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water Program
- Provide a grant and partnership cycle each year for projects related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
- Provide annual funding for bottle filling stations to increase drinking water accessibility, with priority for installations in economically disadvantaged communities and locations that serve school-age children and students.
- Provide annual mini-grant funding opportunity for projects related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
- Provide up to $3 million per 15-year period for a Creekside Neighbor Rebate Program for watershed activities, including bank repair, sediment removal, and downed tree management.
Benefits
- Leverages community resources for efficient use of funds to implement projects that conserve water, prevent trash and contaminants from entering our waterways and groundwater, enhance creek and bay ecosystems, and expand trail and open space access
- Increases collaborations and partnerships with cities, the County, nonprofit organizations, schools and other stakeholders
- Promotes public involvement, awareness and education of safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship through community-led projects
- Broadens opportunities for smaller jurisdictions
Geographic Area Benefit
Countywide
About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2020, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure S, a renewal of Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.
The program was first passed by voters in 2000 as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, then again in 2012 as the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. The renewal of the Safe, Clean Water Program will continue to provide approximately $47 million annually for local projects that deliver safe, clean water, natural flood protection, and environmental stewardship to all the communities we serve in Santa Clara County.
While evaluating ways to improve the 2012 program, Valley Water gathered feedback from more than 21,000 community members. That helped Valley Water create the six priorities for the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program, which are:
Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
Priority C: Protect our Water Supply and Dams from Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters
Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools, Streets and Highways
Priority F: Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community
Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.
To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board. Additionally, the IMC also reviews each proposed 5-year implementation plan prior to its submittal for Board approval.
In addition, the program requires three independent audits.