Tampa Bay Water Offers Grants to the Public for Safeguarding Water Sources (August 7, 2008)

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Thirsty for strategies that will safeguard the environment and drinking water supply of the region and encourage and reward community involvement, Tampa Bay Water is offering a grant program for environmentally concerned residents or groups to promote public awareness of source water protection.

“Protecting sources of water provides continued public health and environmental protection,” said Paula Dye, Chief Environmental Planner. “Getting the community involved will safeguard the resources used for the region’s drinking water.”

Grants from $500 and $5,000 are being offered to academic institutions, community groups, non-profit groups and other concerned residents to help preserve the region’s drinking water supply.

The supply now relies on groundwater, river water and desalinated seawater. Source water protection is any activity that develops or implements measures to protect this supply against pollution. This helps ensure the health and wellness of the 2.5 million residents Tampa Bay Water serves and safeguards the environment and the investment of the public.

Source water protection projects can include activities such as the clean-up of streams, bank restoration and watershed protection projects; educational and information activities such as seminars, workshops and school activities; awareness campaigns and numerous other projects.

In 2008, Tampa Bay Water awarded grants to four recipients. These groups organized various activities, such as the cleanup of the Hillsborough River, the Pinellas Living Green Expo and various workshops on source water protection.

For more information regarding eligible projects, grant details and application materials, visit “Source Water Protection” at www.tampabaywater.org or contact Ivana Kajtezovic at 727-796-2355 or 813-996-7009.

The application deadline for the Source Water Protection Grant is Oct. 31 by 5 p.m.

Tampa Bay Water provides wholesale water to the public utility systems of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties as well as the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa.