West Basin Municipal Water District grants available for water stations at public facilities

A new program to fund and encourage water bottle filling stations at public facilities has been initiated by the Carson-based West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin). The district is now accepting applications for grants up to $1,000 maximum, per eligible applicant, for public facilities throughout the district 17 cities and adjacent unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

“The West Basin Board is pleased to bring about new programs that underscore the District’s commitments to water quality and environmental stewardship,” said Harold C. Williams, West Basin’s board president. “We encourage our service area public facilities to apply for these newly available funds.”

The new pilot program has been created to provide the community with more access to safe and reliable tap water to refill their personal, eco-friendly water bottles. Additionally, the program’s purpose is to reduce plastic waste through the use of reusable water bottles; promote tap water as a quality source of drinking water; and encourage water efficiency education.

Application for the grant funds will be received and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted. Eligible applicants must be a public facility, such as a school, community center or government facility, located in the West Basin’s service area and meet all criteria specified in the application guidelines.

Criteria for the water bottle refilling stations includes:

• The proposed location of the station must be in an area that receives high pedestrian traffic or provides recreational activity;
• The applicant’s understanding that West Basin is not responsible for any costs associated with installation or station maintenance; and agreement to share the total project cost;
• The applicant’s agreement with West Basin’s specifications for appropriate signage and to coordinate a promotional opportunity post-installation (i.e. photo opportunity);
• The applicant’s agreement to complete the installation of the station within 60 days from the application approval date.

Awarded applicants will be provided with standard signage by West Basin. The sign will include the applicant’s logo, the West Basin logo and standardized messaging. The sign must be placed within three feet of the station.

Details about grant eligibility and a funding application are available on the West Basin website. Please visit www.westbasin.org/fillingstation  to learn more.