Water Quality Grants

The Water Quality Grants Program offers an opportunity for individuals and organizations to actively participate in improving the water quality within the district. This program funds projects that implement best management practices to address water quality challenges within the watershed.

Below is information including eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and past project examples.

Notice

Starting in 2025, we’ve increased our Water Quality Grant award to $10,000! You could receive up to $10,000 for your project. Contact Molly Nelson today to start your application at mnselon@ricecreek.org

More info below!

Program Details

Funding Details

May fund 25-50% of total project costs up to a maximum of $10,000 depending on benefits to water resources.

If a project is highly beneficial to water resources RCWD may fund 75% of eligible materials and contracted labor up to a maximum of $10,000.

Who is Eligible

All land or home owners in the district are eligible. This includes residents, churches, schools, communities, and businesses.

Need Professional Help with Design and Installation?

We partner with our local county Conservation Districts to provide free site visits and technical assistance to residents to design and implement their projects. Contact information below.

What Projects Are Eligible?

Rain gardens, stabilizing shoreline erosion, shoreline restorations, prairie restorations, restoring wetlands, agricultural water quality practices, previous pavers, and similar projects may be eligible for this program.

Application Process

Contact your county conservation representative below to schedule a free site visit. In your email title line, please list the eligible water quality project(s) you would like to include in your consultation.

Anoka Conservation District (ACD)

Breanna Keith, Water Resources Specialist
Phone: (763) 434-2030 x160
Email: Breanna.Keith@AnokaSWCD.org

Hennepin County: Rice Creek Watershed District

Molly Nelson, Grant and Outreach Technician
Phone: (763) 398-3083
Email: mnelson@ricecreek.org

Ramsey County Parks & Recreation Soil & Water Conservation Division

Nick Neylon
Environmental Resource Specialist 1
Nick.Neylon@co.ramsey.mn.us

Washington Conservation District (WCD)

Schedule site visit here: WCD Site Visit Sign Up Form

Lori Tella, Watershed Restoration Specialist (Urban)
Phone: 651-315-8943
Email: ltella@mnwcd.org

Angela Defenbaugh, Conservation Specialist (Rural)
Phone: 651-796-2262
Email: adefenbaugh@mnwcd.org

Work with county conservation staff to complete a Water Quality Plan design with a cost estimate.
Select a project(s) from the Water Quality Plan and begin the application and design process.
Note: Applicants can choose to work with a private designer on a project & submit to county conservation staff for review.
RCWD’s Citizen Advisory Committee will review your application and make a funding recommendation to the Board of Managers. The Board will determine funding support for your project and staff will notify you of their decision within 10 days. The grant proposal review schedule is listed in the program guidelines.
Work with your contractor to build the project.
Once complete, submit receipts or invoices for payment up to the amount approved by the RCWD Board.