Contact:Marty Grimes
Office: 408-630-2881
Media line: 408-681-9265
February 8, 2017
District awards grant funds to two water conservation projects
SAN JOSE—The Santa Clara Valley Water District awarded $87,440 in grants to two innovative projects expected to help the district meet its long-term goal of saving more than 32 billion gallons of water each year by 2030.
The two awardees were selected from a pool of eight applicants in the fourth round of competition for grants from the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, a parcel tax approved by voters in 2012. Projects granted funding must be completed by June 30, 2019.
“We are excited to support these innovative projects,” said John L. Varela, chair of the district’s board of directors. “These projects can help save water locally, but also serve as a model for water conservation nationwide.”
Fisher Nickel, Inc.
Fisher Nickel Inc., of San Ramon, was awarded a $37,500 grant to replace dipper wells at multiple food service sites in Santa Clara County with different business models to showcase the efficacy of each replacement technology.
Ecology Action
Ecology Action, of Santa Cruz, was awarded a $49,940 grant to investigate water savings from using captured rainwater for indoor purposes such as toilet flushing and clothes washing. They will partner with residential, commercial, and institutional property owners in Santa Clara County to construct and monitor water use and water quality of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems for indoor, non-potable uses.
The water district expects to distribute nearly $35 million in grants, partnerships and rebate programs over the life of the 15-year Safe, Clean Water Program.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's nearly 1.9 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and more than 275 miles of streams. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.