New Deadlines for Early Actions Projects

Landowners interested in taking action to protect municipal sources of drinking water have been given more time to apply for funding. The March 10th, 2008 deadline for applying has been eliminated. Property owners now have until September 30, 2008 to submit applications and complete their projects.

Landowners who have been considering projects are encouraged to apply as soon as possible because grant funding is limited and will be awarded on a first come first serve basis.

To be eligible for grant funding the applicant's property must be within or extend into a 100 metre radius of a municipal well, or within the two-year time-of-travel pending municipality approval.

Funding is available for:

• Septic system inspection and upgrades: The program will provide funding for the repair, upgrade, or replacement of faulty or malfunctioning septic systems. The grant will cover 50 per cent of the cost up to a maximum of $10,000 or $20,000 for advanced systems.

• Private well decommissioning and upgrading: Decommissioning abandoned private wells, including the testing, monitoring, and technical work on water wells, and upgrading drinking water wells, may prevent these wells and poorly maintained wellheads from becoming pollutant pathways to municipal drinking water sources.  The grant will cover 50 per cent of the cost up to a maximum of $6,000.

• Runoff and erosion protection: These projects will protect municipal drinking water sources from runoff contamination and soil erosion through properly constructing or restoring buffer strips and riparian zones. Grant rates range from 25 to 70 per cent, depending on the project. Maximum grants range from $1,000 to $20,000.

• Pollution prevention reviews: Pollution prevention reviews will be made available to small and medium-sized businesses that manufacture, handle, store, and dispose of materials into water, land, or air, and will identify threats to sources of municipal drinking water. These reviews are being offered free of charge, and the results are confidential.

Source Protection Program projects must be approved and completed by September 30, 2008.

Landowners can combine Source Protection Program grants with funding from other cost-share programs.

The Source Protection Program is being administered through the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. If you have any questions or would like to find out if you are eligible call Dallas Campbell, Outreach Specialist, at 519-335-3557.