The announcement comes during Source Water Protection Week, an initiative launched by the American Water Works Association to raise awareness about safeguarding the sources of our drinking water.
The “Protect Your Drinking Water” program will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for watershed protection and education projects that address pollutants of concern to public water supplies, such as fertilizer runoff, road salts, and pathogens.
The goal of the grant program is to raise awareness and engage new partners in source water protection. Effective source water protection helps reduce public health risks and water treatment costs, among other benefits to communities and the environment.
Since 2024, the program has awarded over $147,000 to 10 organizations for 18 projects in the Chester/Ridley/Crum, East Branch of Brandywine Creek, and Neshaminy Creek Watershed areas.
In addition to the above-noted watershed areas, the grant program can also address groundwater sources of drinking water in specific areas of Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester Counties.
“Success stories submitted by our 2024 and 2025 grant awardees highlight on-the-ground projects such as a rain garden, a meadow, stream side tree planting, and water quality monitoring. A range of stewardship and public education events have also been funded such as Adopt a Stream Buffer, Residential Stormwater Management House Calls, and a STEM Summer Camp,” said PEC Senior Program Manager Paul Racette. “Our current grantees are conducting winter road salt workshops, restoring a flood plain, planting a riparian buffer, installing backyard composters, and more. “
Oct. 20 Kick-Off
On October 20th, at 10:00 a.m., PEC will host a kick-off celebration at the Lindsay Farm Preserve, a previously funded project site.
Managed by the Heritage Conservancy, Lindsay Farm is home to a thriving pollinator meadow made possible through funding from the Protect Your Drinking Water Program.
The event will provide information on the grant program, highlight the success of past grant recipients, and include a tour of the Heritage Conservancy’s pollinator meadow.
The grant program, administered by PEC’s Water Team in partnership with Aqua, is made possible thanks to a generous donation through the company’s Essential Foundation.
PEC is committed to empowering the public to be active, informed stewards. Educating people about where their drinking water comes from is an essential step toward improving the health and function of our local waterways.
“Protecting our water starts at the source,” said Essential Utilities Chief Environmental, Safety & Sustainability Officer Chris Crockett. “Through partnerships like these and support from the Essential Foundation, we’re investing in local watersheds and empowering communities to safeguard clean, reliable water for generations to come.”
Visit PEC’s Grant and Awards Programs webpage for all the details.
Click Here for the PEC Aqua announcement.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.
[Posted: October 6, 2026] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment