Water Quality Grants

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The fundamental goal of the Program is to support start up costs for bag drop recycling programs in order to increase the California Refund Value (CRV) beverage container redemption opportunities utilizing innovative projects.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The fundamental goal of the Program is to support start-up costs for mobile recycling programs to increase the California Refund Value (CRV) beverage container redemption opportunities that utilize innovative projects.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Eligible Applicants Private, nonprofit entities, in addition to being registered and in good standing with the California Secretary of State, must also be registered and in good standing with the California Department of Justice, and appear on their Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.  If a nonprofit entity is excluded from registering with the Department of Justice, proof must be provided with the application. Eligible applicants include:  Dealer Cooperatives  A dealer cooperative is a stewardship organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and formed for the purpose of providing redemption opportunities pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 14578 and consists of member dealers and has an approved dealer cooperative stewardship plan.  A dealer cooperative is voluntary for a dealer to join pursuant to Section 14578. Individual Application An Individual Application is one in which a single eligible entity will be responsible for grant implementation.  The applicant in an Individual Application will be responsible for the performance of the grant and all related documentation.  In addition, the applicant will be the only entity receiving any real or personal property that is purchased with grant funds. Eligible Projects/Products All projects must be located within an unserved zone identified within the CalRecycle approved dealer cooperative stewardship plan. Eligible projects include: · Mobile Programs. Consist of either: redemption in-person through staffed systems that are moved between different redemption locations pickup-service redemption at the consumer's addresses within unserved zones. · Bag Drop Programs.  Consist of consumers depositing empty beverage containers in a sealable bag, box, or other container into a designated Bag Drop receptacle for later collection and redemption. · Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).  Consist of deployment of automated machines that accept empty beverage containers and provide payment to customers at time of deposit.

Engineer Research and Development Center

Willow Creek Reservoir Water Quality Research and Evaluation Studies

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) is made from shredded tires as an alternative to conventional lightweight aggregates that is: Lightweight Free-draining Less expensive Eligible Applicants Include: -All California local government entities, including cities, counties, and cities and counties. -Special districts, including transportation districts. -Joint Powers Authorities in which all JPA members are also eligible applicants. -Public school districts. -All California state agencies, including offices, departments, bureaus, and boards. -University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges. -Private, for-profit entities.      Defined as a business intended to operate at a profit and return a profit to its owner(s).      The business must be California-based, or if in another state, must have an operational presence in   California: see Application Guidelines and Instructions for complete details and restrictions. -Non-profit organizations, except private elementary or secondary schools, registered with the federal government under section 501(c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(6), or (c)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code. -Qualifying Tribal Entities.       A Qualifying Tribal Entity is defined as a tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, residing within the borders of California, which:           Is recognized for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of the               status of its members as Indians or:           Can prove that it is a government entity and meets the criteria of the grant program. Eligible projects include: Category 1: Mechanically Stabilized TDA for retaining walls. Category 2: Low Impact Development, stormwater mitigation including stormwater infiltration galleries. Category 3: Lightweight film, slope stabilization, embankment fill, landslide repair, and retaining walls. Category 4: Vibration mitigation under rail lines. Category 5: Landfill application, aggregate replacement projects such as leachate and gas collection systems, drainage layers, and leachate injection.   How to apply: Funding - CalRecycle Home Page  Applications due July 16, 2026.

Clean Water Action

Grassroots clean water advocacy and environmental health programs

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks proposals for highest priority projects associated with the implementation of an NCCP. The intention of this Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) is to solicit proposals of the highest quality that are consistent with the goals of the NCCP Program. To help achieve this intention, the PSP provides guidance on Applicant eligibility, the grant process and deadlines, and application and submission procedures. Proposals must address the highest priority tasks associated with the implementation of an NCCP such as: Management Activities: Immediate management actions on newly acquired NCCP reserve lands. Restoration/Enhancement: Restoration or enhancement of habitats or species populations on NCCP reserve lands. Monitoring: Design and implementation of biological monitoring programs identified in an NCCP, including the establishment of sampling methods, monitoring plots, data collection, management, and analysis. Reserve Management Plans: Development and implementation of individual reserve management plans. Mapping: New or updated mapping in support of NCCP management or monitoring activities, such as vegetation community mapping. Targeted Studies for Adaptive Management: Studies to evaluate management actions for covered habitats or species, and whether such actions are meeting stated goals or require adjustments through adaptive management. Other: Other non-land acquisition priority tasks, identified by the applicant and implementing partners, which are needed to ensure effective implementation of the NCCP. This solicitation opens on June 1st, 2026, and closes at 8:00 pm (PDT) July 31st, 2026.

Environmental Protection Agency

Technical Assistance and Training for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems

Waterkeeper Alliance

Local waterkeeper programs protecting clean water and watersheds

National Rural Water Association

Water system operator training and capacity building for small rural systems

Water Foundation

Equitable water access and management in underserved communities

River Network

Community-based river and watershed conservation programs

Spring Point Partners

Water infrastructure and justice in low-income communities

Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Technical assistance for rural water and wastewater system improvements

Environmental Conservation

2025 Clean Water Board Pollution Control Grants

Bureau of Reclamation

WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program

Clean Water Fund

Funds grassroots efforts to protect water quality and ensure safe drinking water.

River Network

Supports community-based watershed protection and river conservation.

Waterkeeper Alliance

Supports local Waterkeeper organizations fighting for clean water worldwide.

American Rivers

Funds river restoration, dam removal, and clean water initiatives across the US.

Water Environment Federation

Funds water quality research and innovation in water treatment and management.