CITY HALL – Rural property owners completed 44 projects in 2019 with the goal to protect Ottawa’s waterways, wetlands and groundwater.

The City’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee received the annual report for the Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program, outlining more than $111,000 in grants the city provided over the last two years during today’s (Nov. 5) regular meeting.

In addition to the grant funding, landowners contributed more than $159,000, investing a total of more than $270,000 in rural land stewardship. 

“Many rural residential properties along the Ottawa River were affected by flooding in spring 2019, leading to an increased risk of shoreline erosion,” city staff released in a statement today. “Erosion control projects were most popular, with 21 projects receiving grants of up to $7,500 to repair shorelines and address erosion issues. Projects to develop forest management plans and to decommission unused wells were also popular.”

Learn more about eligible projects and how to apply at ottawa.ca/cleanwater.

Recommendations from today’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee meeting will rise to council on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

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