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Environmental Health Division
Source Water Protection Grants
Notice:
New Grants Application System
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is launching a new online system for applying for source water protection (SWP) grants starting fall 2025. The new database, called Fluxx, allows us to streamline the grants application process. Applicants can track progress of their grants online, collaborate with MDH staff or others on their application, save an application online and come back to it, complete reporting requirements, and more.
There are some helpful resources below to get you started. You can access the new system by visiting MDH.Fluxx.io.
- The SWP grants program now uses an online system called Fluxx.
- The Fluxx platform contains everything you need to access related to SWP grants, including application submission, status, and reporting.
- Fluxx is web-based, so you can access it on any device that has internet capability. The recommended browser is Google Chrome.
- View step-by-step instructions for using Fluxx here: (coming soon)
It is highly encouraged that you create an account in Fluxx before the grant application period opens. You will need the following items to get registered with our new grants application system:
- PWSID number
- Organization legal name, address, and email
- Primary contact name, title, phone, and email
- Username and password
Please note that registration may take up to two days. Be sure to allow plenty of time to register and complete your application before the deadline.
The main components of the application include:
- Project summary
- Violations
- Information about your drinking water source
- Details about the work you hope to accomplish
- How the work will protect the source of drinking water
- Estimated costs
- View step-by-step instructions for using the system here: (coming soon)
- Training Videos
- Quick start
- How to register for Fluxx
- How to apply for a transient grant
- How to apply for a competitive grant (coming soon)
- How to apply for an implementation grant (coming soon)
- How to request collaboration from MDH or MRWA staff (coming soon)
- Trouble shooting and error messages (coming soon)
- You are encouraged to reach out to your MDH or MRWA staff with any questions – they can help determine project eligibility and collaborate with you on your grant application.
- For questions specific to the new system (e.g. technical issues), please contact SWPGrantsHelp.MDH@state.mn.us
- For questions about existing awarded grants (e.g. forms, closing out), please contact Health.SWPGrants@state.mn.us
The Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment has supported source water protection grants for public water suppliers in Minnesota since 2010.
MDH will award new grants each fiscal year if funding is available. MDH will accept applications during the following time periods.
| Notice of Availability by Grant Category | Months Applications Accepted (fall) | Months Applications Accepted (spring) |
|---|---|---|
| Transient | September-October | March-April |
| Plan Implementation | October-November | April-May |
| Competitive | November-December | May-June |
Public water suppliers are eligible for different grants based on their customer base and if they have a source water protection plan. Please see the Request for Proposals for Transient, Plan Implementation, or Competitive for more information.
A public water supplier will qualify for continued grant eligibility after receiving an initial grant if they fulfilled all of the conditions that were specified under a previous grant. Grant funds may not be used to pay the fines or penalties of an Administrative Penalty Order.
Transient Grants
for noncommunity transient systems
- Support wellhead protection measures that address a potential contamination source that presents a high risk to a source of drinking water as determined by MDH;
- Have a maximum amount of $15,000, which may be increased to $45,000 when three or more public water suppliers apply under the same application; and
- Require an equal financial cost share amount.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transient Grants
Plan Implementation Grants
for community and noncommunity nontransient systems
- Apply to community or nontransient noncommunity water suppliers that have a current MDH-approved wellhead protection plan or MDH-endorsed intake protection plan;
- Has a maximum amount of $15,000;
- Must be spent within the state fiscal biennium; and
- Does not require any financial cost share by the public water supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions about Plan Implementation Grants
Competitive Grants
for community and noncommunity nontransient systems
- Will help implement source water protection measures regardless of whether or not a community or noncommunity nontransient public water supplier has a wellhead protection plan in place;
- Support management of a potential contamination source that presents a high risk to a source of drinking water as determined by the MDH;
- Have a maximum amount of $15,000, which may be increased to $45,000 when three or more public water suppliers apply under the same application; and
- Must include an equal financial cost share amount.
Plan Implementation Grant
- Applicant/Recipient Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form (PDF)
- Plan Implementation Grant Invoice (PDF)
Competitive Grant
Transient Grant
Grant Narrative (Use with all grants above)
Source Water Protection Grants help Noncommunity Water Systems provide safe drinking water.
See examples of eligible and ineligible activities below and on the Source Water Protection Grants information sheet (PDF).
Activities must protect the drinking water source to be eligible for grant funding.
Examples of eligible activities:
- Sealing an unused well
- Constructing a new well
- Pressure tanks are grant eligible, as part of a new well construction and pump system project. The pressure tank must be appropriately sized for the pump being proposed for the new well and not sized for additional water storage. This change is effective starting with the FY 22 fall round of Transient, Implementation, and Competitive SWP grants.
- Installing a monitoring well
- Inspecting a well (video log, gamma log)
- Educating citizens
- Updating the potential contaminant source inventory
- Connecting private users to a public water supply (only when documented by MDH for compliance purposes)
- Planning for spill or emergency response
- Purchasing generators (MDH plan review and approval is required)
Examples of ineligible activities:
- Developing or amending source water protection plans
- Conducting infrastructure projects not related to the source of drinking water (e.g., replacing pump house buildings)
- Maintaining the public water supply system
- Purchasing a pressure tank designed to serve the purpose of water storage, as well as the replacement or maintenance of pressure tanks, remains ineligible for grant reimbursement.
Please note that grants do not cover illegal activities, activities that have already been completed, indirect or administrative costs related to the grant, or permitting fees payable to MDH (i.e. well construction fee; well sealing fee).
Contact the grants coordinator if you have questions about an activity’s eligibility before applying for a grant.
You can look up information about past grant awards using our Interactive Dashboard for Source Water Protection Grants. Grant reports for previous years are available upon request by calling 651-201-4700 or sending an email to health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us.