Community Grants for Source Water Protection | Tampa Bay Water

Source Water Protection Mini-Grant Program

Tampa Bay Water can’t protect your drinking water alone and source water protection isn’t just for utilities and regulators. Communities and individual citizens also need to do their part to protect the quality of our drinking water.

That’s why we offer a Source Water Protection Mini-Grant Program. Tampa Bay Water offers $30,000 in mini-grants to help fund projects and events sponsored by local community groups, non-profit groups, schools and universities that promote protection of the region’s drinking water sources. Grants range from $2,000 to $10,000 and fund community-based activities that help protect regional drinking water sources and the ecosystem from pollution and contamination.

The 2019 application period will begin in November 2019.

Grant recipients are announced each December.


The Source Water Protection Mini-Grant Program is a great way for the community to get involved in keeping our environment and drinking water supplies safe now and for years to come.

Examples of Qualifying Projects

  • River and stream clean-ups, including restoration and stabilization of river banks
  • Protection and conservation of the region's watersheds and aquifer recharge zones
  • Innovative solutions to reduce pollution in wetlands, rivers and coastal areas
  • Educational resources such as trainings, workshops, signage or exhibits, and the development of Florida-standards-based curriculum about drinking water and the environment

Even if you don’t have the time to execute a broad-scale source water protection project, you can do your part at home. These basic housekeeping practices will make a great impact on our future water supply one task at a time.

  • Carefully handle potentially dangerous substances and properly use and store chemicals.
  • Limit your use of fertilizer applications on lawns and gardens.
  • Take used oil motor to the recycling center.
  • Properly close unused wells.
  • Regularly pump and inspect septic tanks.
  • Plant vegetation on bare spots of the soil, particularly on slopes, to prevent excess runoff.
  • If your schedule permits, take part in source water protection discussions and activities.
  • Adopt Low Impact Development design methods.
  • Review more detailed examples of Backyard Conservation Methods and Best Management Practices.