Grants are available to support homeowners and farmers in the Grand River watershed who are interested in well projects on their property.
“Wells need to be maintained properly and tested regularly in order to provide safe drinking water, and to protect groundwater resources” says Louise Heyming, Supervisor of Conservation Outreach at the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA).
Well owners are encouraged to get their water tested through local public health units.
The GRCA delivers grant programs that support the cost of properly decommissioning, and in some areas, upgrading private drinking water wells to current standards. Since 1998, the GRCA has delivered grants to support 775 well upgrades and over 1000 well decommissioning projects across the watershed.
The municipally-funded Rural Water Quality Program (RWQP) provides grants that will cover up to 100 per cent of the cost associated with well upgrades and decommissioning. Maximum grant amounts and eligibility criteria vary by municipality. Funding support is provided by the Region of Waterloo, City of Hamilton, as well as the counties of Wellington, Dufferin, Brant and Haldimand.
More information on the Rural Water Quality Program, grant rates and eligibility is available by contacting the GRCA at ruralwater@grandriver.ca or calling 519-621-2761 and asking to speak to a Conservation Specialist. To learn more about the broad range of services and grants that are available through the GRCA, please visit www.grandriver.ca/ruralwater.
