Do you have a project idea that will conserve or improve water quality in the Okanagan Valley and benefit the valley as a whole?
The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is now accepting applications to its 2017 Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) Grant Program.
This is the 12th year of the program, with $300,000 available for Okanagan projects. Grants are distributed according to the percentage of tax each region pays into the program.
The allocation this year will see $55,800 for projects in the north, $182,760 in the central, and $62,520 in the southern part of the Okanagan basin.
Each year the OBWB looks at where there may be current issues or gaps that need to be addressed. These project categories are then prioritized for funding during the selection process. This year the board is putting a special focus on projects which address: Drought and Flood Preparedness, Water Flow Monitoring, Groundwater Studies, Restoration and Water Quality Projects.
“With global changes in climate, and the variability of weather here at home, we have seen flooding and droughts – sometimes in the same year – and science tells us to expect more of these extremes,” says James Littley, OBWB Operations and grants manager. “That’s why there is the added emphasis this year on understanding what water we have available and projects that will build resiliency in Okanagan communities, preparing for both extremes.”
Eligible grant recipients include non-profit community groups, local governments (regional districts or municipalities), and irrigation or improvement districts.
Successful applicants can receive up to $30,000 for their project.
Since 2006, the WCQI Grant program has funded almost $3.5 million to 215 projects with total combined budgets worth more than $21.5 million.
“Much of that extra project money is brought into the Okanagan through partnerships with senior levels of government and grants from other funders. That is an excellent return on investment for the Okanagan,” noted Findlater.
This year’s application deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2017. The complete program guide and application forms can be found at www.obwb.ca/wcqi
