This project provides grants and partnerships 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.
The renewal of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program (Safe, Clean Water Program) in November 2020 consolidated and expanded funding opportunities under a newly created Priority F: Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community. While the funding for community grants and partnerships was renewed from the previous 2012 Safe, Clean Water Program (2012 Program), the renewed Program incorporates new elements that broaden criteria and applicant eligibility.
The renewed Safe, Clean Water Program began in FY22 (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022) and is still in transition, which is a hybrid approach of the 2012 Program and the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program. Grants administration staff is working with a consultant to redesign the grants and partnerships program with the new elements in the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program, the recommendations from the 2021 Grants Management Performance Audit, and the 2021 and 2022 Grantee Survey feedback.
KPI #1: Provide a grant and partnership cycle each year for projects related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
Starting in FY22, all types of Safe, Clean Water standard grants are offered each year, rather than being offered every other year based on grant type, as was done previously. During the annual grant cycle, the standard grant opportunity will have funding available to support projects that improve water conservation, wildlife habitat restoration, offer access to trails and open space, pollution prevention, volunteer creek cleanups, and education.
The FY23 standard grant cycle launched in January 2023 with $1.4 million in available funding, and closed in March 2023. On June 13, 2023, the Valley Water Board of Directors approved a total of $1,177,961.16 for 8 projects.
In FY23, Valley Water awarded one partnership agreement in the amount of $50,000 to Environmental Volunteers, Inc. for the “Let’s Go!” Field Trip Fund Program. The partnership helps subsidize the cost of transportation for science, nature, or environmental education field trips for Santa Clara County students and includes criteria for disadvantaged communities and schools with at least 60% Free and Reduced Meal Plan participation.
Visit valleywater.org/standardgrants to learn more about the standard grant funding opportunity.
For a cumulative list of standard grants awarded from FY22 to present, please visit: tinyurl.com/SCWgrants
Visit valleywater.org/grants for more information about grant opportunities available.
For a cumulative list of standard grants and partnerships awarded prior to FY22, please visit: tinyurl.com/SCWgrants2012.
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.
In FY23, Valley Water launched the new bottle filling station (Refill Station) grant funding opportunity, which includes a new, simplified and streamlined application and agreement process.
The newly launched Refill Station funding opportunity includes increased funding and expanded applicant eligibility, with priority in economically disadvantaged communities and locations that serve school-age children and students. $100,000 is available year-round on a rolling basis for up to $5,000 per station.
In FY23, a total of $45,000 in Safe, Clean Water refill station grant funding was awarded for 9 new water bottle refill stations.
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.
In FY23, Valley Water continued the mini-grants program with dedicated annual funding, broader eligibility, and a streamlined application process. $100,000 is available year-round on a rolling basis for projects up to $5,000 each.
Visit valleywater.org/minigrants for mini-grant project criteria, applicant eligibility and application information.
In FY23, a total of $75,000 in Safe, Clean Water mini-grant funding was awarded for 15 projects.
For a list of mini-grants awarded in FY23, 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 partnerships with small municipalities (defined as under 50,000 people in the most recent census available), or special districts with boundaries substantially within the footprint of small cities, for projects aligned with the District Act and related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
This partnership funding opportunity is available year-round.
Valley Water continues to engage with small municipalities and special districts serving small municipalities on potential partnership projects. For more information, contact [email protected].
Please visit valleywater.org/grants for more details.
September 2023
For more information:
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Kristen Yasukawa, (408) 630-2876
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Sign up to receive notifications for all of Valley Water's upcoming grant cycles at valleywater.org/grants
FY22-36 Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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Provide a grant and partnership cycle each year for projects related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
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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.
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Provide annual mini-grant funding opportunity for projects related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
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Provide up to $3 million per 15-year period for partnerships with small municipalities (defined as under 50,000 people in the most recent census available), or special districts with boundaries substantially within the footprint of small cities, for projects aligned with the District Act and related to safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
Benefits
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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
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Increases collaborations and partnerships with cities, the County, nonprofit organizations, schools and other stakeholders
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Promotes public involvement, awareness and education of safe, clean drinking water, flood protection and environmental stewardship through community-led projects
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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.