The Santa Clara Valley Water District awarded $87,440 in grants to two projects expected to help the district meet its long-term goal of saving more than 32 billion gal of water each year by 2030.
The two awardees were selected from a pool of eight applicants in the fourth round of competition for grants from the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, a parcel tax approved by voters in 2012. Projects granted funding must be completed by June 30, 2019.
“We are excited to support these innovative projects,” said John L. Varela, chair of the district’s board of directors. “These projects can help save water locally, but also serve as a model for water conservation nationwide.”
Fisher Nickel Inc. of San Ramon was awarded a $37,500 grant to replace dipper wells at multiple food service sites in Santa Clara County with different business models to showcase the efficacy of each replacement technology.
Ecology Action of Santa Cruz was awarded a $49,940 grant to investigate water savings from using captured rainwater for indoor purposes, such as toilet flushing and clothes washing. They will partner with residential, commercial, and institutional property owners in Santa Clara County to construct and monitor water use and quality of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems for indoor non-potable uses.
The water district expects to distribute nearly $35 million in grants, partnerships and rebate programs over the life of the 15-year Safe, Clean Water Program.
Source: Santa Clara Valley Water District
