Okanagan’s Basin Water Board (OBWB) is accepting grant applications for its Water Conservation and Quality Improvement grant program for 2024.
Those interested in water projects around the Okanagan Basin can receive funds between $3,000 and $30,000 from a pool of $350,000.
Eligible applicants include Okanagan local governments and First Nations, irrigation districts and non-profit organizations.
The theme this year is drought resilience, which is aimed at prevention, management and mitigation of drought or water shortages.
“We are already seeing the impacts from climate change with extreme weather events,” said Carolina Restrepo-Tamayo, OBWB’s office and grants manager. “When it comes to water, that translates to more flooding and droughts. This summer’s drought has impacted some streams and their ability to support fish. It also fueled the terrible wildfires that broke out across the valley. But there are solutions – ways that communities can create resiliency and get prepared.”
The grants focus on solutions to improving ways to manage water and to protect the environment and the Okanagan community. Since it began in 2006, the OBWB has funded 331 projects worth more than $5.8 million.
Projects that address drought can receive up to 10 extra points during their evaluation, which could increase their chances of being funded. There are also several other project categories eligible for funding, including source (drinking) water protection, groundwater, restoration and education.
The complete guide, with scoring criteria and application forms, can be found at obwb.ca/wcqi.
This year’s deadline is Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.
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