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Although nothing is set in stone, Ottawa’s Rural Clean Water Program is likely to continue to receive funding for the next couple of years.
The program, which began in 2000, was designed to provide residents with grants to undertake projects that improve surface water quality.
Since 2005, the program has been run by local conservation authorities and funded by an annual levy of $185,000, which was only approved through the end of 2009.
After an evaluation of the initiative, a city advisory committee has recommended that the program continue to receive funding through 2010. Staff also recommended a one-time increase in the levy, to $250,000, in order to fund new applications as well as projects that are already on the waiting list. This year’s funding was all used up by September.
Projects eligible for funding include restricting livestock access to waterways, clean water diversion, and well and septic upgrades.
Grants can be anywhere between $500 and $2,000, covering 50% to 75% of the project cost.
According to Valerie Sylvia, water quality assistant at the South Nation Conservation Authority, more than 100 applications for grants are processed between South Nation, the Rideau Valley and the Mississippi Valley conservation authorities.
Although the expectation is to continue the program past 2010, nothing is guaranteed, said Derrick Moodie, City of Ottawa rural affairs officer.
“Every year is a new budget year,” he noted.
Part of the committee’s recommendations includes shifting focus from funding private well upgrades.
According to a report presented at the Oct. 14 agriculture and rural affairs committee meeting, an average of 220 permits for well upgrades were issued annually during the last 10 years but less than 50 grants are awarded through the clean water program for those projects.
While money may still be available for those projects, staff are looking at better ways and better projects to improve water quality, explained Mr. Moodie.
Although she would prefer the city to continue funding well upgrade projects, Ms. Sylvia said she is pleased the city is providing any money.
“It is a great program and it does extend services to landowners for funding,” she said.
“And there’s not much funding out there.”