Grants for projects that protect the sources of municipal drinking water will be available until the end of the year.
The Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Early Response Program, operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority, will provide grants for properties near the municipal drinking water sources that are vulnerable to contamination, a news release said.
This includes upgrading private wells or decommissioning unused wells and maintenance or replacement of septic systems, the release said.
To qualify for funding, the land has to be within the “Wellhead Protection Areas” around municipal wells as well as within “Intake Protection Zones” identified through the Drinking Water Source Protection Program, it said.
Old and unused private wells can be a pathway for contaminants and bacteria to make their way to municipal wells, it said. Harmful materials from septic systems can make their way to municipal water sources as well.
The Ministry of the Environment provides the money as part of the Clean Water Act.  Not all applications will be approved.
For more information, contact GRCA conservation specialist Jenn Deter at 519-621-2761, ext. 2268, or jdeter@grandriver.ca.