Committee moves to renew grants program for rural water projects

The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee today approved renewing the Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program for another five-year term. The program would continue to provide cost-share grants to farmers and rural landowners for projects that protect surface and groundwater quality.

With an annual budget of $200,000, applicants are eligible for grants of up to $15,000 for 19 different types of projects. In the last five years, the program supported 271 projects with grants totalling more than $671,000. Landowners also invested another $1 million for those projects, resulting in:

• Retiring more than 50 hectares of sensitive land from agricultural production
• Improving nutrient management on more than 450 hectares of farmland
• Adding erosion protection along more than two kilometres of streambanks
• Planting more than 112,000 trees along watercourses and as natural windbreaks
• Decommissioning 55 wells to reduce surface and groundwater contamination risks

Since it launched in 2000, the program has supported more than 1,600 projects, delivering nearly $3.3 million in grants, with landowners contributing an extra $11.3 million toward those projects. That is an average of more than $3.40 for every dollar invested by the City.

The renewed program would add living snow fences as a new eligible project type, to help reduce blowing snow, improve road safety, reduce soil erosion and improve wildlife habitat. A well-received 2024 pilot already introduced living snow fences, with participants receiving $700/acre/year for at least 10 years to compensate for the loss of productive land.

The City will also study expanding the scope of the program to include more projects that protect the environment and climate. These projects could include natural habitat improvements, protection for species at risk habitats, nature-based solutions for reducing stormwater runoff and extreme weather preparedness. The Committee will consider recommendations for any changes in 2027.

Learn more about the Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program on ottawa.ca, including about eligible projects and how to apply.

The Committee approved funding for applications to the Rural Community-Building Grants Program. The program supports rural community improvement projects delivered by non-profit organizations. The three projects approved today would receive a total of more than $34,000.

• The Osgoode Village Community Association would receive nearly $3,100 to acquire audio/visual equipment for the Osgoode Community Centre.
• The Metcalfe Farmers’ Market would receive more than $6,300 to acquire a permanent heritage display celebrating 33 years of operation as well as a covered seating area and improved signage.
• The Marlborough Community Recreation Association would receive $25,000 to help with accessibility, recreational and safety improvements at the community hall and surrounding grounds.

The City will continue accepting grant applications until the program’s annual budget is fully allocated. Please consult the grant program guidelines for information on how to apply.

City Council will consider the recommendations from today’s meeting on Wednesday, April 8.