Wellington Rural Water Quality Program
It pays to protect water quality when you apply to the Wellington Rural Water Quality Program
In 1999 the County of Wellington and City of Guelph initiated the Wellington Rural Water Quality Program. The Wellington Rural Water Quality Program is a voluntary program offering financial and technical assistance to private rural landowners throughout the County of Wellington. This program assists participants with the implementation of agricultural beneficial management practice projects, which protect and improve water quality.
Eligible Project Categories and Grant Rates
| Eligible Project | Grant Rate | Grant Ceiling |
| Manure Storage | 50% | $25,000 |
| Manure Storage Decommissioning | 50% | $3,000 |
| Clean Water Diversion | 50% | $5,000 |
| Dead Stock Composting | 50% | $4,000 |
| Milkhouse Waste | 50% | $5,000 |
| Livestock Access Restriction | 75% – 100% | $10,000 |
| Fuel Storage/Handling | 50% | $4,000 |
| Fertilizer and/or Chemical Handling and Storage | 50% | $2,500 |
| Erosion Control Structures | 75% | $10,000 |
| Tile Drain Control Structures | 80% | $7,500 |
| Nutrient Management Plans | 50% | $2,000 |
| Cover Crops ($100/acre up to 30 acres) |
n/a | n/a |
| Tree Planting – stream buffers, fragile land retirement, field windbreaks ($350/acre/year for 3 yrs. Max. 10 acres) | 30% | $7,500 |
| Living Snow Fences ($500/acre per year for 3 yrs. Max. 10 acres) |
80% – 100% | $5,000 |
| Natural Area Restoration and Creation ($350/acre per year for 3 yrs. Max. 10 acres) |
80% | $7,500 |
| Machinery Crossings | 50% | $5,000 |
| Wellhead Abandonment | 100% | $2,500 |
| Wellhead Protection | 80% | $2,000 |
Rural Water Quality Program grant rates may be adjusted if combined with other funding programs for a total grant of 80% -100%. Revised grant rates in effect for new projects as approved by Wellington County Council on January 31, 2012.
How to Apply to the Program and Receive Funding
- Attend an Environmental Farm Plan workshop and complete a plan for your farm operation.
- Submit your Environmental Farm Plan for confidential review to the local Peer Review Committee.
- Contact Wellington Rural Water Quality Program staff to verify that your proposed project meets the guidelines and to arrange a site visit. Staff is available to assist you with planning your project and applying to the program.
- Applications are anonymously reviewed by a review committee, made up of local agricultural representatives and agency staff.
- Complete your project as approved.
- Book a final site visit with program staff.
- Receive your grant.
For more information and to arrange a site visit, please contact:
Mark Eastman, M.Sc., P.Ag.
Program Coordinator, Agricultural Extension
Ph: 905-670-1615 ext. 430
Toll Free: 1-800-668-5557
Email: meastman@creditvalleyca.ca
