Farmers should find it easier to take advantage of the Wellington County Rural Water Quality Program (RWQP) because of some improvements made this year.
Grant rates for a variety of projects have increased. In addition, some new types of projects are now eligible for grants under the program which is administered by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
The program helps farmers undertake projects that protect water on their land. Among the improvements, the maximum grant for a manure storage tank has risen to $25,000 from $15,000. Grants pay 50 per cent of the cost.
The maximum grant for plugging unused wells has risen to $2,500 from $1,000. Grants pay 100 per cent of the cost.
In addition, several new types of projects are now eligible for grants including tile drain control structures, cover crops and natural area restoration and creation.
This is the first major overhaul in grant rates since the program started in 1999. The changes were made to reflect the increased cost of the projects. Other eligible projects include stream fencing, tree planting, manure storage, erosion control, fuel storage, and well upgrades.
Farmers must have completed an Environmental Farm Plan on their property to be eligible for grants.
Since the program began, farmers have received over $3.3 million in grants to assist in the completion of over 1,100 projects to protect water quality on farms in Wellington County.
The Wellington RWQP was initiated in 1999 by the County of Wellington and the City of Guelph.
It is financed by contributions from the municipalities to the GRCA which administers the program.
For more information on RWQP grants, contact the Grand River Conservation Authority at 519-621-2761. Information on the new rates can be found on the GRCA website at www.grandriver.ca in the Rural Water Quality Program section.
