Community Water Quality Improvement Grant
The Community Water Quality Improvement Grant funds innovative research and implementation projects to improve Delaware’s water quality, focusing on science-based solutions for impaired watersheds.
Funder: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Due Dates: October 30, 2026: Proposal submission deadline
Funding Amounts: $25,000–$75,000 per project; project duration up to 2 years (implementation) or 3 years (research)
Summary: Supports Delaware-based non-profits, conservation districts, community groups, and HOAs in implementing innovative, measurable water quality improvement projects.
Key Information: No cash match required, but leveraging/match increases competitiveness; up to two proposals per cycle allowed.
Description
This grant program, administered by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council, funds projects that improve water quality throughout Delaware’s developed landscapes. The focus is on supporting non-profit organizations, conservation districts, community organizations, and homeowners’ associations in implementing innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions that deliver measurable improvements to surface and groundwater quality, particularly in impaired watersheds with established Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) or approved watershed restoration/pollution control strategies.
Eligible projects include stormwater retrofits, stream and wetland restoration, installation and evaluation of new best management practices (BMPs), and other nonpoint source water pollution control initiatives. The program emphasizes community involvement, leveraging of resources, education, and demonstration of new or transferable approaches to water quality improvement.
