The Santa Clara Valley Water District (California) awarded $223,500 in grants to five innovative projects expected to help the district meet its long-term goal of saving more than 32 billion gallons of water each year by 2030.
The five awardees — four from the private sector and one from the public — were selected from a pool of 10 applicants in the second round of competition for grants from the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, a parcel tax approved by voters in 2012. By opening up the grants to private and public organizations, the district could take advantage of the innovation that abounds in Silicon Valley. Grant amounts awarded in this cycle range from $25,000 to $50,000, and all projects must be completed by June 30, 2017.
“We had a number of strong contenders for the grant funds, and we are pleased that so many people are serious about developing new and innovative conservation methods,” says Jerry de la Piedra, manager of the Water Supply Planning & Conservation Unit for the water district. “We are excited to see how these projects can help reduce water usage throughout the county.”
The water district expects to distribute nearly $35 million in grants, partnerships and rebate programs over the life of the 15-year Safe, Clean Water Program.
San José Water Company
The San José Water Company won two separate grants, each for $50,000. The first grant will be used to evaluate an advanced metering infrastructure system for single family residential customers in the Willow Glen area. It will evaluate the conservation benefits of a cellular network-based metering system that provides real-time data and leak detection to customers and to SJWC staff.
The second grant will be used to evaluate the water saving potential of certain new advanced ultrasonic water meters for single family residential customers in the Willow Glen area.
Bevilacqua-Knight, Inc. (BKI)
BKI won a $50,000 grant to partner with large employers throughout Santa Clara County for an employee rewards program. The program will encourage employees to use water efficiency and conservation in their homes.
City of Morgan Hill
The city will use its $48,500 grant to test a new lawn irrigation technology system on two areas near swimming pools at the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center.
Bay Area Fresh
Bay Area Fresh won a $25,000 grant to study the efficiency of using farm wastewater for commercial growth of leafy vegetable crops through a hydroponic system. Bay Area Fresh will capture wastewater from one commercial hydroponic system and recycle it into another hydroponic method system — using a method that does not require pumps or additional nutrients beyond those initially applied.
About Santa Clara Valley Water District
The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 1.8 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and more than 275 miles of streams. The district provides wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.
