LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is inviting proposals for source water protection projects through July 1, 2024.

Approximately $150,000 in grant funding is available to political subdivisions that operate a public water system serving a population of 10,000 or less that can show financial hardship.

Source water refers to rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater that provide water to public drinking water supplies and private wells. Eligible projects for funding are associated with source water protection measures and will implement protection activities in existing source water protection areas, designated future source water protection areas, and in the associated communities.

Community involvement and education on how to protect and improve drinking water sources are central themes in these grants. Projects will be expected to provide long-term benefits to drinking water quality and/or quantity and education.

A Request For Proposal application guide containing in-depth information on proposal formats and required material for inclusion in the proposal is available by visiting, https://dee.nebraska.gov/water/groundwater/source-water-protection-program/invitation-source-water-grant-proposals

Proposals must be received by NDEE’s Lincoln office no later than, July 1, 2024, at 5 p.m., postmarked on or before the due date to be considered for funding. Proposals sent by fax will not be accepted.

Additional information on the Source Water Protection Program can be found on NDEE’s website, https://dee.nebraska.gov/water/groundwater/source-water-protection-program.

A question-and-answer guide for source water protection projects and the proposal invitation process is available by visiting, https://dee.nebraska.gov/forms/publications-grants-forms/11-003. Answers to questions not found in the provided online resources can be requested through ndee.moreinfo@nebraska.gov or the Source Water Protection Coordinator at (402) 471-9249. New questions will be answered directly and then posted to the online question-and-answer guide.