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Source Water Project Fund

Helping Communities Move Source Water Protection from Planning to Action

The Source Water Project Fund (SWPF) is a National Rural Water Association funding opportunity designed to help communities and utilities implement practical projects that protect drinking water sources. This fund supports shovel-ready, fully scoped projects that move source water protection efforts from the planning stage into real, on-the-ground action.

Funding is generally capped at $100,000 per project, though higher amounts may be considered when justified by project impact and readiness. Eligible projects must directly support the protection of drinking water quality and quantity and should be tied to identified risks or action items within a source water protection plan.

Eligible Project Examples

Projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • Land acquisition or conservation measures within protection areas
  • Riparian buffers and physical barriers
  • Wellhead or intake protection improvements
  • Signage, fencing and access controls
  • Drainage or grading work to redirect runoff away from drinking water sources
  • Site stabilization and erosion control
  • Other location-specific protection measures identified through source water planning

Application Process

NRWA Source Water Protection Specialists will work with communities, utilities and watershed stakeholders to identify strong candidates for SWPF support. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and scored based on source water protection impact, risk reduction value, community and watershed benefit, financial need, technical clarity, feasibility and shovel-ready status.

Completed applications should include applicant information, a project overview, budget and funding structure, community need factors, certifications, agreements and required supporting documentation.

Required Attachments

Applicants should be prepared to submit supporting materials, including project design and cost estimates, a map of the project area or source water protection zone, governing body authorization if applicable, recent financial statements or audit if applicable, and documentation of matching funds or other leveraged resources.

Learn More & Apply


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Questions or Need Help Applying?

For questions or assistance with the application process, please contact:

Amanda Trakas
Alliance of Indiana Rural Water
atrakas@inh2o.org