Grants and partnerships covered under this project include:
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Grants for agencies and organizations to study and pilot-test new water conservation programs. In FY10, county water conservation stood at 50,600 acre-feet, but this number needs to nearly double by 2030 to meet future demand.
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Grants to help schools in the county provide drinking water dispensers and other potable water devices for students. California Senate Bill 1413 (SB 1413) requires that schools provide access to free, fresh drinking water during mealtimes in food service areas.
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Rebates to private well water users for the installation of point-of-use treatment systems to remove excess nitrate from their drinking water.
Water conservation 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.
Sign up to receive notifications for all of the Valley Water’s upcoming grant cycles: [email protected]
Water conservation pilot mini-grants program is now completed
On February 11, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a pilot A2 Water Conservation Mini-Grant Program to offer up to $5,000 for projects that meet A2 criteria to allow grantees to kick-start projects and gain data to support an application for future funding opportunities. The mini-grant applications were accepted on a rolling basis through December 31, 2020.
The grant cycle for A2 Water Conservation mini-grants is now complete. Twelve applications for a total funding of $57,885 were awarded under this pilot.
For further information, visit https://www.valleywater.org/grants.
Water to Go stations
Valley Water provided grants to 50 schools in the county to install Water-to-Go bottle filling stations. With the installation of 50 bottle filling stations, Valley Water has met its Safe, Clean Water commitment to: Increase the number of schools in Santa Clara County in compliance with SB 1413 and the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, regarding access to drinking water by awarding 100 percent of eligible grant requests for the installation of hydration stations; a maximum of 250 grants up to $254,000. This project is now complete.
Rebate to private well owners for nitrate removal systems
Valley Water continues to reach out to well owners that may be exposed to elevated nitrate and has increased the maximum rebate amount for nitrate treatment systems to $500. Please note: The Nitrate Treatment System Rebate Program has ended.
Updated September 2021
Water conservation grants
Key Performance Indicators for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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Award up to $1 million to test new conservation activities.
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Increase number of schools in Santa Clara County in compliance with SB 1413 and the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, regarding access to drinking water by awarding 100% of eligible grant requests for the installation of hydration stations; a maximum of 250 grants up to $254,000.
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Reduce number of private well water users exposed to nitrate above drinking water standards by awarding 100% of eligible rebate requests for the installation of nitrate removal systems; up to $30,000 for all rebates.
Benefits
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Helps Valley Water exceed the conservation goal of 98,500 acre-feet per year by 2030
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Reduces water demands and the need to invest in new or expanded water supply sources and associated infrastructure
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Increases water supply reliability
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Helps schools provide safe, clean drinking water to students and comply with state mandate
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Assists private well water users in maintaining the quality and safety of their drinking water
Geographic Area 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.