Program Overview
The Healthy Waters Program (HWP) aims to enhance water quality, improve fish and wildlife habitats and strategically restore stream health in the NVCA watershed. This is achieved by facilitating and coordinating water quality improvement and community awareness projects, working in partnership with rural and urban landowners, local community groups, NVCA member municipalities and other government agencies.

Grant Incentives
There are proven economic, environmental and health advantages to protecting our lakes, rivers and groundwater. However, there is also an associated initial cost. Given that approximately 95% of land in the NVCA jurisdiction is privately-owned, our grant incentive program assists landowners who protect and conserve our common waters. The HWP provides the financial, technical and project management support that local landowners and community groups need in order to implement effective water quality improvement projects and strategic river restoration programs. 

Grant Rates 
Please check back soon for current grant rates.

How to Apply
1. Call and discuss project ideas with NVCA staff.
2. Book an initial site visit.
3. Submit a grant application form, including:
    a) Two independent quotes for each project from registered businesses
    b) A deposit of $150 (refunded upon project completion, or if project is not approved by the review committee. The deposit is forfeited only if approved projects are not completed in the agreed time frame)
4. A review committee evaluates the application based on the environmental priority and overall design (i.e. expected water quality improvement, habitat significance, technical design and practicality).
5. Applicants are contacted with the decision and sent a grant agreement letter that gives the approved grant and terms and conditions.
6. Applicants sign and return a copy of the grant agreement letter.
7. Applicants complete the project (receipts must be dated after the approval date).
8. Contact NVCA staff to book your final site inspection and submit the following documents:
    a) eligible expense receipts
    b) proofs of payment (i.e. copy of cancelled cheque)
    c) copies of permits, well records, etc.
9. A grant cheque is then issued to the applicant and the deposit is returned.
10. Agree to maintain the project for the intended purpose for no less than 10 years.

For more information contact Shannon Stephens, Healthy Waters Program Coordinator at 705-424-1479 ext. 239 or sstephens@nvca.on.ca.