- Grant Awards
- $2,500–$10,000
- Applications Opened
- October 21, 2026
- Application Deadline
- January 15, 2027 at 5:00 PM EST
- Informational Webinar
- Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 11:00 AM–noon Eastern
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and Aqua, an Essential Utilities Company, announced the October 21, 2026 opening of the fourth round of the Protect Your Drinking Water grant program. Grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 will support watershed protection and education projects addressing pollutants of concern to public water supplies, including fertilizer runoff, road salts, and bacteria.
Since the program began in 2024, three grant rounds have awarded more than $147,000 to ten organizations in the Chester/Ridley/Crum, East Branch of Brandywine Creek, and Neshaminy Creek watershed areas.
Eligible Areas and Applicants
The 2027 grants continue to support source water protection in these watersheds and groundwater sources of drinking water in portions of Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester Counties. Review PEC’s focus area maps and eligible municipality lists before applying. Groundwater protection projects may be located anywhere within the eligible municipalities.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, local government entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. PEC’s guidelines require a 20% match, which may include cash, in-kind contributions, or a combination.
Projects That Protect Drinking Water
Funded projects have included protecting riparian buffers, planting meadows, promoting and installing green infrastructure, restoring floodplains, monitoring stream health, and providing public education and outreach.
Projects may also address groundwater protection and recharge through pollution prevention, spill prevention training and response programs, and stormwater infiltration or recharge projects. Proposals can include on-the-ground work and citizen, municipal, or student educational programs.
November 10 Informational Webinar
PEC and Aqua have scheduled a virtual webinar for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 11:00 AM to noon Eastern to answer questions and share additional information. Advance registration is requested, and a Zoom link will be sent before the webinar. Contact PEC for webinar registration information using the link below.
How to Apply
Review the program guidelines, focus area maps, and eligible municipality lists through PEC’s grants page and Submittable portal. Applications are due January 15, 2027, at 5:00 PM EST.
PEC’s Water Team administers the program in partnership with Aqua, with funding through the company’s Essential Foundation.