Water saving grants program

The water saving grants program provides financial support to eligible businesses and community groups which are actively trying to reduce water usage.

Last year we awarded $117,000 in grants to 10 local businesses and community groups.

This year we have $250,000 available to help businesses — large and small — to save water.

Applications close Friday 30 December 2011.

Grant categories

Grants are available in three categories:

• Major projects — for all businesses
• Minor projects — for small businesses
• Community projects — for not-for-profit and community groups

Major project category: up to $50,000 per grant

• Open to all business customers.
• Designed for large scale projects that deliver high volume, cost effective water savings.
• Assessed on a competitive basis. Preference will be given to projects with high volume and/or low cost savings.

Minor project category: up to $5000 per grant

• Open to small businesses (up to 20 full-time employees)
• Designed for more modest water saving initiatives compared to the major projects category.

Community category: up to $5000 per grant

• Open to not-for-profit and incorporated community groups.
• Water saving projects must provide benefits to the local community.

Eligible businesses

Barwon Water business customers and incorporated not-for-profit community organisations can apply. (Non-incorporated not-for-profit groups may apply via an eligible incorporated sponsor.)

All applicants must be Barwon Water customers, i.e. within our service region and connected to to our mains water supply.

Ineligible businesses

Subject to our discretion, organisations that are not eligible for assistance under this program include those that are:

• located outside of Barwon Water's service area
• not connected to Barwon Water's drinking water supply
• that have not provided the required acquittals for previous assistance
• with outstanding debt to Barwon Water.

Eligible projects

Eligible projects must demonstrate the capacity to achieve water savings (mains supplied drinking water) through one or more of:

• rainwater or stormwater harvesting
• wastewater recycling
• improved efficiencies (through maintenance, upgrades or improved practices).

Projects must be competed by 30 June 2012.

Ineligible projects

Assistance will not be provided for:

• projects that cannot be completed by 30 June 2012
• incomplete applications
• projects directly implementing regulatory requirements
• projects addressing bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation
• research and development projects
• projects that are likely to be implemented without the need for assistance.

How to apply

Please submit your application using the appropriate form below.

  Application form for major projects (PDF 611 KB)

  Application form for small businesses, not-for-profit and community groups (PDF 424 KB)

Completed forms should be addressed to Water Saving Grants, Barwon Water, PO Box 659, Geelong VIC 3220, or via email.

To assist with your application, we have provided a sample application form below.

  Sample small business grant application

Cut-off dates

Completed forms must be submitted by 5.00 pm, Friday 30 December 2011.

Project assessment

All eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of Barwon Water staff. Criteria for assessment include:

• water savings
• technical feasibility
• environmental benefit
• community benefit
• project management
• cost.

 All applicants will be notified by Tuesday 7 February 2012. 

More information

For more information, assistance or enquiries, please contact us to speak with a member of the Water Conservation team.

   Water saving grants program guidelines (PDF 1.2 MB)