Dane County Looks to Award Communities $2 Million in Grants for Clean Water Projects

February 20, 2017
Stephanie Miller 608-267-8823
County Executive

Dane County is again accepting applications from local municipalities for its “Urban Water Quality Grant Program” to assist with projects aimed at cleaning up urban runoff pollution in area waters, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today.

 

The grants are available to help local communities construct storm water management facilities. These basins capture trash and phosphorus-laden debris such as yard or pet waste from urban areas that would otherwise wash directly into area lakes and streams during heavy rains or snow melt. $2 million is available through the grant program this year. 

 

“Our waterways are incredibly valuable resources and an integral part of our economy and quality of life,” Parisi said.  “By working together with local communities we are able to stop pollutants from getting into our waters and further our lakes cleanup efforts.”

 

Since starting the grant program in 2005, Dane County has helped fund over 50 projects countywide, stopping the flow of over 700,000 pounds of garbage and pollutants, including almost 3000 pounds of phosphorus every year. Phosphorus is the main culprit to algae growth in our lakes. Every pound of phosphorus removed from the county’s watershed prevents 500 pounds of algae from growing.

 

For the sixth consecutive year, municipalities that propose projects in one of the county’s top ten target areas that discharge large amounts of phosphorus and sediment into the lakes will be eligible to receive a 75% county cost share grant. Other municipalities with eligible projects outside the targeted areas could receive a 50% cost share.

 

The initial deadline for applications is April 30, 2017. For more information and to see the full set of grant criteria please the UWQG webpage at: https://wred-lwrd.countyofdane.com/assistance/uwqg.