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Important dates
Application status: Closed
Overview
Water for Life funding is available to regional commissions or groups of 2 or more municipalities for new regional water or wastewater systems.
Funding
Funding levels vary depending on the project type.
Table 1. Funding levels at a glance
Project type | Funding |
---|---|
Pipelines for new regional water or wastewater systems | 90% of project costs |
Feasibility studies to evaluate potential new regional systems | 100% of project costs |
Existing water or wastewater treatment facility upgrades at a hub-supplier's plant or at a commission-owned plant for new customers | Up to 100% of project costs |
Ensure pipeline has the capacity for future extensions to additional regional customers | 100% of project costs |
Example:
Project type: A pipeline extension to 3 towns and one non-eligible industrial partner that needs 25% of the project capacity. Water is obtained from a 4th hub municipality.
Total project cost: $15 million:
- $10 million for the pipeline, consisting of:
- $9 million: cost of the pipeline to serve the 3 municipalities
- $1 million: ensure the pipeline be built large enough for a future extension to a 4th municipality.
- $5 million for the capacity upgrade at the hub supplier water treatment plant
- 60% of the plant upgrade is for the new customers
Project partners:
- 3 municipalities with a total official population of 7,000
- Community A: 1,000
- Community B: 2,300
- Community C: 3,700
- Agricultural processing industry (non-eligible industrial partner) that uses 25% of project capacity
- Hub supplier’s population: 100,000
Table 2. The total grant for this project example is calculated as follows:
Funding level | Funding calculation |
---|---|
Pipeline cost | |
90% of pipeline cost for new customers | 90% = $8.1 million |
100% of pipeline cost for future customers | 100% = $1 million |
Plant upgrade cost | |
100% for plant upgrade costs for new customers | 60% x $5 million = $3 million |
0% for plant upgrades for hub supplier’s (4th municipality) population | 40% x $5 million = $0 |
TOTAL | $12.1 million (80.67 % of project costs) |
Eligibility
How to apply
Step 1. Select project
Municipalities should contact us prior to applying to discuss the eligibility of proposed projects.
The municipal council must make a motion to apply for funding for the project.
Step 2. Complete the application package
We will work with the municipality to review the scope of work and the cost-effectiveness of the project.
Directors and Managers in regional offices are available to provide advice to the municipality during the preparation of the project proposal.
Include the following documents in the application package:
- a letter to the Regional Director in the Transportation Regional Office (PDF, 148 KB) from each member municipality or the regional commission requesting funding
- request for funding
- project description
- project rationale (design criteria)
- proposed implementation schedule
- detailed cost estimates following the cost estimate requirements
- outline of how the municipal share of project costs will be funded (if applicable)
- proposed rates and the impact on the cost for services for each member municipality
- rate base for water and wastewater service and the extent of metering for each member municipality
- method of procurement
- asset management planning information (where applicable)
- outline any innovative construction materials used or techniques
The municipality must enter the project information in the Municipal Grants Management Application.
Step 3. Submit the application package
Submit the application package in person or by mail to your local Transportation Regional Office (PDF, 148 KB).
Find your region by checking the Municipalities, Locations and Corresponding Transportation Regions list (PDF, 608 KB).
After you apply
Applicants will be notified in writing of the project's eligibility for funding.
Project approval is conditional upon funding availability and the suitability of the project.
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- project size
- design
- staging
- need
- cost-effectiveness
- municipal population (actual and projected)
The following will also be considered:
- date the application is submitted
- type of project, prioritized as follows:
- Priority 1: health-related improvements involving upgrading water treatment or water supply facilities
- Priority 2: environmental protection improvements related to wastewater treatment projects affecting the environment
- Priority 3: system and development related improvements, such as safety, fire protection and operational improvements
Reporting
Revisions
Grant recipients
Recent recipients
2018 Water for Life grant recipients
Past recipients
Water for Life grants to municipalities – 2015 to 2018
Water for Life grants to municipalities – 2004 to 2015
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