In order to allocate $1.5 million for projects that improve water quality throughout Arizona, the state’s Department of Environmental Quality is now accepting Water Quality Improvement Grant applications.
Each year, ADEQ provides funding to public- and private entities in Arizona through its Water Quality Improvement Grant Program. The funds stem from the federal Clean Water Act and are administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Each applicant must provide 40 percent of the cost to implement an “on-the-ground” project to improve and protect water quality in Arizona by addressing a nonpoint source of water pollution.
Nonpoint source pollution is the nation’s largest source of water quality problems. It occurs when rainfall, melting snow, or irrigation runoff picks up pollutants and deposits them in rivers, lakes or other groundwater sources. Agriculture, forestry, grazing, septic systems, recreational boating, urban runoff and construction all contribute to nonpoint source pollution.
“The Water Quality Improvement Grant Program provides much-needed funding at the local level to implement creative approaches to improve watersheds,” ADEQ Director Steve Owens said. “Through federal, state and local partnership, we are achieving cleaner, safer waters and ensuring the long-term integrity of Arizona’s precious water resources.”
A series of workshops will be held around the state to help those interested applying for a grant learn more about the Water Quality Improvement Grant Program:
* Flagstaff: September 22, 2 p.m., ADEQ Northern Regional Office, 1801 W. Route 66
* Eagar: September 26, 10:30 a.m., Eagar Council Chambers, 22 W. 2nd Street
* Tucson: September 28, 1 p.m., ADEQ Southern Regional Office, Suite 433, 400 W. Congress
* Payson: October 2, 1 p.m., Payson Public Library, 328 N. McLane Road
* Prescott: October 3, 10 a.m., The Grove Studio (next to Prescott Creeks), 119 Grove Avenue
* Safford: October 11, 10 a.m., Graham County General Services Building, 921 Thatcher Boulevard
* Phoenix: October 24, 10 a.m., ADEQ, Room 5100B, 1110 W. Washington St.
For more information on the grant program, visit http://azdeq.gov/environ/water/watershed/fin.html.