Consider the Source: Drinking Water Protection  

Drinking water, which may be from ground water, surface water, or both, is vulnerable to being contaminated. If the drinking water source is not protected, contamination can cause a community significant expense as well as endanger people's health. Cleaning up contamination or finding a new source of drinking water is complicated, costly, and sometimes impossible. By creating source water protection plans, communities can identify and implement strategies that protect these sources from contamination. A typical plan addresses (1) educating residents and decision-makers about protecting the source water; (2) including source water concerns in the system's contingency plan; and (3) strategies to reduce the risk posed by specific potential contaminant sources. More information on source water protection plans.

Source Water Protection Projects

The Aquifer Preservation Subdistrict of The Miami Conservancy District helps to fund projects that develop or implement source water protection plans. Typical awards will range from $10,000 - $50,000. Projects that best meet the eligibility criteria will be chosen for funding by The Miami Conservancy District. Projects that are chosen for funding will enter into a Project Agreement with The Miami Conservancy District and receive 75 percent of the funds as soon as the Project Agreement is executed by both parties. The remaining 25 percent will be awarded upon successful completion of the project.

Eligibility 

Communities within the Aquifer Preservation Subdistrict of The Miami Conservancy District (see map) are eligible for funding. Eligible projects will implement practices that are designed and installed to protect the Buried Valley Aquifer and minimize its contamination. Grant dollars may not be used to fund salaries. All grant awards will require a minimum of a 25-percent local match that is comprised of in-kind work or cash. Salaries and overhead will not be acceptable as match.

Funds will be awarded to communities that want to either 1) Implement a source water protection project OR 2) Develop a source water protection plan.

1) Implement Projects

A majority of the available funds will be awarded to communities to implement projects that are outlined in their previously completed and Ohio EPA-endorsed Source Water Protection Plan, or Comprehensive Plan, or Ohio DNR-endorsed Watershed Action Plan. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: 

• Implement Low Impact Development practices.
• Revise land use regulations (zoning or codes) to protect source water areas and/or allow low impact development practices.
• Emergency planning and response.
• Inspection programs.
• Groundwater monitoring systems.
• Investigations to determine the extent of existing groundwater contamination within or adjacent to source water protection area.
• Inventories of hazardous chemicals.
• Spill prevention technologies.
• Remove abandoned sources of contamination.

2) Develop a Source Water Plan

Limited funds will be available to communities to assist with the development of source water protection plans. These plans will follow Ohio EPA guidelines. More information on how to develop a plan.

Priority will be given to projects that:  

• Show measurable results such as number of acres protected, amount of groundwater remediation, size of area inventoried or monitored.
• Can be conducted in close proximity to an aquifer production area.
• Protect land inside a Source Water Protection Area.
• Protect areas in close proximity to a wellfield’s time of travel boundaries.
• Protect large areas of land in close proximity to the Buried Valley Aquifer.
• Functions over a long period of time.

Dates and Deadlines 

Project Proposals are welcome to be submitted anytime. Proposals are reviewed as they are received. Projects must be completed no later than two years from the start date.

For more information about the source water projects contact:

Sarah Hippensteel, Program Development Specialist,

shippensteel@miamiconservancy.org or (937) 223-1271

Application Process 

Applications must be created using the Request for Proposals and the Project Application Form in the right-hand column, or you may request a paper copy from the contact listed above.

Applications will be considered incomplete without original signatures and all required information and attachments.