Tampa Bay Water to fund community programs to protect drinking water sources

CLEARWATER – Tampa Bay Water will distribute $30,100 in grant funds to help Tampa Bay area nonprofits protect the region’s sources of drinking water. The utility is partnering with the Coffeepot Bayou Watershed Alliance, Ecosphere Restoration Institute, Keep Pasco Beautiful, Tampa Reforestation and Environmental Efforts and The Florida Aquarium on projects that protect and restore sensitive waterways, and educate families, students and residents through environmental education programs.

"Safe drinking water starts at the source but we cannot do this work alone," said Michelle Stom, Tampa Bay Water’s chief communications officer. "Partnering with organizations that share common environmental goals reaches more people and helps to ensure that we have clean, safe water supplies for generations to come."

Tampa Bay Water will fund five organizations through its Source Water Protection Mini-grant program.

• Coffeepot Bayou Watershed Alliance – Quarterly volunteer cleanups
• Ecosphere Restoration Institute – Living shoreline installation at Purity Spring
• Keep Pasco Beautiful – Fertilizer education & outreach program
• Tampa Bay Reforestation and Environmental Effort – Hillsborough Community College campus wetland and stormwater enhancement program
• The Florida Aquarium – "Train the Trainer" water conservation education for teachers

For details about each of the grant-funded projects listed above, as well as more information about the TBW Source Water Protection Mini-grant program, visit the link below. Tampa Bay Water’s Source Water Protection Mini-grant program is an important component of the utility’s outreach and education efforts for source water protection.