JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 29, 2026 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will begin accepting applications for Source Water Protection Project Grants from eligible public water systems Feb. 1, 2026.
The grant offers up to $25,000 to eligible community water systems that produce all or a portion of their drinking water from a raw water source, such as groundwater, lakes or rivers. Source water protection plan implementation projects and source water protection plan development or revision projects are eligible for funding.
Development projects are for eligible applicants seeking to develop an original, local and voluntary source water protection plan, or to update an existing plan that has an expired endorsement. Grant applicants must submit a new or revised source water protection plan to the department before they can receive reimbursement for eligible project activities.
Implementation projects are for eligible applicants that have a source water protection plan with a current department endorsement. These may include activities and best management practices to achieve action items, goals or objectives documented within an existing protection plan, coordination of outreach or educational activities or other efforts that advance goals described within a protection plan.
Community public water systems that produce all or a portion of their water from a raw source are eligible to apply for reimbursement funding through this program. Complete applications the department receives Feb. 1 through March 31, 2026, are ranked competitively and awarded in order of priority rank. Complete applications received April 1 through May 31, 2026, may be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis if available funding remains.
The department is committed to helping Missouri communities protect their drinking water sources and protect human health. For more information, please visit the Source Water Protection Grant webpage at dnr.mo.gov/water/what-were-doing/financial-assistance-opportunities/source-water-protection-project-grant or contact the Source Water Protection Program Coordinator by phone at 573-526-0269 or by email at SourceWaterProtection@dnr.mo.gov.