Overview
The DWSP grant program provides financial assistance to public water systems and municipal water departments for the purchase of land or interests in land for the following purposes: 1) protection of existing DEP-approved public drinking water supplies; 2) protection of planned future public drinking water supplies; or 3) groundwater recharge. It is a reimbursement program.
Grant Details
- Maximum award: $375,000
- Reimbursement rate: 60%
- Grant bid release date: October 29, 2026
- Grant deadline: March 4, 2027, 11:59 P.M.
Eligibility
Eligible projects include:
- Purchase of land in fee simple for water supply protection
- Purchase of a Conservation Restriction
- Purchase of a Watershed Preservation Restriction
Land held for water supply purposes must be held by a board of water commissioners. Eligible applicants are:
- Municipalities or municipal public water suppliers
- Water Districts or Fire Districts with a water department.
What You Need to Apply
Applications consist of:
- Application form
- Cover letter authorizing the applicant to apply for the grant on behalf of the municipality, district, or PWS
- Project narrative
- Property maps
- Appraisal report(s)
- Conservation Restriction draft (if applicable)
Grant Information Session
A grant information session will be held virtually via MS Teams on December 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. Please email the grant administrator at vanessa.farny@mass.gov to receive a link to the meeting.
How to Apply Online
All applications must be submitted via EEA’s Grant Management System.
Applications must be submitted by March 4, 2027 at 11:59 pm.
Downloads
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FY27 DWSP Grant Bid Document, Open PDF file, 514.87 KB (English, PDF 514.87 KB)
Additional Links for Drinking Water Suppliers
For more information on public drinking water supplies in Massachusetts, go to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): Drinking Water