Source Water Protection Project Grant

Community public water systems that produce all or portions of their water from a raw water source are eligible to apply for financial assistance through this program. Applying public water systems must be compliant with all national primary drinking water regulations or actively working towards compliance to qualify.

Grant funds provide reimbursement for approved, eligible activities included in a fully executed financial assistance agreement between the department and the community public water system. Eligible projects include the following:

• Source water protection plan implementation projects
• Source water protection plan development projects

Implementation projects are for eligible applicants that have a Source Water Protection Plan with a current endorsement from the department. Implementation projects may include activities and best management practices to achieve action items, goals or objectives documented within an existing protection plan, coordination of outreach or educational activities, or other efforts that advance goals described within a protection plan. 

Development projects are for eligible applicants seeking to develop an original, local and voluntary Source Water Protection Plan or to revise and update an existing plan that has an expired endorsement. Plan development or revision projects require submitting a completed Source Water Protection Plan to the department before reimbursement of eligible expenses.

Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after the priority application period. Maximum award amounts are limited to $25,000. Matching funds are not required but may contribute to project selection and ranking according to the priority point criteria described in section 4 of the grant application form. 

The department currently is accepting priority applications for the Source Water Protection Project Grant through June 30, 2025. Applications received between July 1, 2025 through Aug. 15, 2025, may be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis if available funds remain. Applicants may submit their application by email to SurceWaterProtection@dnr.mo.gov or online through the department's Funding Opportunities Portal. New funding portal users must submit a Funding Opportunities Portal Access Request to establish access and use the portal. The application form and related materials are accessible through the funding portal.

• Application for Source Water Protection Project Grant MO 780-2163

Applications are ranked competitively and awarded in order of priority rank. 

The State Revolving Fund Affordability Grant Eligibility Evaluation is used to determine priority scoring for the Source Water Protection Program Grant. It does not determine applicant or project eligibility. Applicants do not need to complete the evaluation form, but it is recommended to review the data used to select applicants.

• State Revolving Fund Affordability Grant Eligibility Evaluation Form MO 780-2854

In order to receive funding, applicants must execute and adhere to a financial assistance agreement. When an applicant is recommended for an award, the financial assistance agreement will be sent along with the terms and conditions.

• Attachment B: MoDNR Federal Financial Assistance Agreements, General Terms and Conditions