The Clean Water Fund
Clean water is a priority for partners across all of Lancaster County, especially since over half of our streams and much of our groundwater are unhealthy. A collaborative group of partners are ready to work across the landscape on restoration projects in priority places that make sense and make a difference in our water quality. This fund will enable local partners to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of those projects using technology, cultural sensitivity, and science-based practices that will get our streams to clean and clear by 2040.
The Lancaster Clean Water Fund serves as a catalyst for increased collaboration to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of current and future clean water projects in accordance with Lancaster’s Countywide Action Plan (CAP).
Applications are closed, look forward to this opportunity in 2022.
2021 Clean Water Fund Info SessionGrant Opportunities
See if any of these grants might be right for your organization:
Community Conservation Grant
Grants of $1,000 – $15,000
The Community Conservation Grant supports education, outreach, and regional engagement projects that improve Lancaster’s water quality through collaboration and creativity. Projects can range from educational campaigns to art installations to water quality monitoring equipment. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their project will prioritize collaboration with new Lancaster County partners in an effort to collectively protect water, create habitats, and encourage outdoor exploration.
Clean Water Implementation Small Grant
Grants of $5,000- $25,000
The Clean Water Implementation Small Grant supports implementation of collaborative, watershed-scale restoration projects that encourages diverse audiences to improve Lancaster’s water quality at a rapid pace. Projects can range from implementation of agricultural conservation and stormwater practices to riparian buffer plantings to removal of impervious surfaces. Funds can be used to reimburse design and engineering if project implementation funding is already received. If a buffer will be planted as part of the project, a maintenance plan is required.
Clean Water Implementation Large Grant
Grants of $200,000- $500,000
The Clean Water Implementation Large Grant supports installation of high-impact projects in priority locations to achieve nutrient and sediment reductions for Lancaster’s Countywide Action Plan. In 2021, approximately $2 million is available to be awarded to projects. Specifically, $1 million will be allocated to agricultural projects and $1 million will be allocated to stormwater projects. This funding is intended for implementation projects but design and/or engineering may be eligible for up to 25% of construction costs. Specific ranking criteria will be used to evaluate all submitted projects.
We are no long accepting applications for stormwater projects at this time but will continue to accept applications for agricultural projects until those funds run out.
Evaluation Criteria
• Contributes to Lancaster County’s collaborative, collective effort for clean water
• Aligns with Lancaster’s Countywide Action Plan
• Predicted sustainability of the project through economic and climate changes
Preview Application Questions
Questions?
Questions?
Images credited to Michelle Johnsen Photography. Courtesy of the Lancaster Conservancy’s Water Week 2019 album.
