DWR Announces Groundwater Assistance Grants

Taylor HillmanGeneral, Water

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded more than $4.7 million in grants to 26 public agencies from the Local Groundwater Assistance Program. Grant funding is provided by Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006.

The program helps local agencies perform groundwater studies, monitoring, and management activities. Funded projects include installation of monitoring wells, groundwater recharge investigations, data gathering and development or update of groundwater models, preparation of groundwater management plans, and other programs to assist local agencies in managing groundwater in California.

DWR received 98 applications requesting $23.6 million in grant funding for project costs exceeding $32.3 million. Based on Technical Advisory Panel recommendations, DWR is awarding 26 grants in three tiers. Tier 1 proposals (40 points out of a total of 40) are funded at 90 percent of the requested amount. Tier 2 proposals (39 points) receive 80 percent of the requested amount, and Tier 3 proposals (38 points) receive 63 percent.
A listing of the agencies and titles of projects receiving grants may be found at the following website:
http://www.water.ca.gov/lgagrant/