This project provides pollution prevention grants to qualified local agencies, nonprofit groups, schools, etc., totaling an average of $500,000 per cycle. In addition, up to $200,000 per year goes toward partnerships with municipalities for specific programs to reduce contaminants in surface or groundwater, and reduce emerging contaminants.
Grants could support programs such as public education to prevent pharmaceuticals from entering waterways, technical assistance to help growers protect groundwater, and partnerships to reduce litter and graffiti.
Grants
We are not currently accepting grant applications for Pollution Prevention Grants.
In November of 2020, Santa Clara County voters approved the renewal of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program parcel tax. This renewal continues Valley Water community grants and partnerships and consolidates the funding opportunities under a newly created Priority F - Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community. More information will be available in FY 2022 about the expanded funding, eligibility, and criteria.
For information, visit: https://www.valleywater.org/grants.
Sign up to receive notifications for all of the Valley Water’s upcoming grant cycles: [email protected]
On February 11, 2020, the Board of Directors approved all five of the FY20 B3 Pollution Prevention grant applications for funding for a total of $478,969.
- Children’s Discovery Museum of San José – Exploration Portal: Preventing Pollution project ($144,500)
- Grassroots Ecology – Community Based Stewardship of Green Stormwater Infrastructure ($89,332)
- West Valley Clean Water Program Authority – School Site Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans ($35,088)
- County of Santa Clara – Green Business Program ($120,000)
- Guadalupe River Park Conservancy – Reducing the Impacts of Litter Along the Guadalupe River Trail ($90,049)
Partnerships
During FY19, a B3 Pollution Prevention Partnership was established with the City of San José in the amount of $200,000 for the Tully Road Ballfield Creek Cleanup Project.
Updated April 2020
For more information:
Status for projects awarded through FY18 is listed in the attached table.
Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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Provide 7 grant cycles and 5 partnerships that follow pre-established competitive criteria related to preventing or removing pollution.
Benefits
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Helps prevent contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, household hazardous waste and trash from entering our waterways
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Helps meet regulatory requirements as listed under the impaired water bodies listing of the federal Clean Water Act
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Reduces contaminant source loads in groundwater and surface water, and protects local watersheds
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Provides public education to reduce contaminants in our waterways
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Leverages community resources for efficient use of funds
Geographic Area of Benefit
Countywide
About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2012 the voters of Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure B, the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, as a countywide special parcel tax for 15 years with a sunset date of June 30, 2028. This Program replaced the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, which voters approved in November 2000.
The Safe, Clean Water Program was developed with input from more than 16,000 residents and stakeholders and was created to match the community’s needs and values. The voters of Santa Clara County identified five priorities:
Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
Priority C: Protect our Water Supply from Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools and Highways
Other: Six projects from the Clean, Safe, Creeks Plan have been carried forward into the Safe, Clean Water Program.
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.
In addition, the Program requires three independent audits, the first of which was conducted in FY 2017.