Water Smart Business Grant

• Application deadline: First-come, first-served until all funds are allocated.
• Grant award notifications: As they are received and reviewed.
• Finished project & inspections: Before October 31, 2024
• Final Application Deadline: November 15, 2024

Must be a water utility account holder with the Town of Okotoks and one of the following:

• A federally or provincially registered non-profit society or charitable organization operating in Okotoks; or
• A school located in Okotoks; or
• A business located within Okotoks (in a commercially zoned building)
  • Must have the appropriate development permits and business licensing in place.

Note:

• All applications must include and indicate someone with signing authority.
• If the building is not owned by the business/organization, the building owner must be listed on the application.
   

How much money is available and how many grants will be given out?

This program has $40,000 in annual funding. The number of grants given out depends on the number of applicants and how much funding is being asked for by each applicant.

How much grant money can a project be awarded?

The most that a project will receive is $10,000. Smaller projects can apply too! You will be asked to provide details in the application regarding how much your project will cost. See below for eligible expenses.

Once the project is complete and the final application has been approved, a cheque or EFT will be initiated. This can take place any time before the final project deadline of October 31, 2024.

The 2023 application process is opening soon!

• Step 1: 
  Read all available information on the Town website, including the application form and the application checklist. 
   
• Step 2: 
  If you have any questions, have a chat with the Town of Okotoks Environment & Sustainability staff. Wondering about the feasibility of your project prior to submitting an application? Then give the Sustainability team a call—contact the Coordinator by email, or phone.
   
• Step 3: After reading through the grant guide, and if necessary chatting with staff, complete and submit your application form and all supporting documents online.

Apply here to complete your application.

Note: you will need your water utility account number and business license number to complete this final step.

 

As applications are submitted, the Town will evaluate all submissions within 3 weeks based on the grant rubric  in order to determine if each project qualifies for grant funding (score over 75%). Once an application has been evaluated, the applicant will be notified regarding the awarding of grant funding and, if awarded, the next steps.

• This type of project is for converting large (90 m2 minimum) areas of land from non-functional turf¹ to drought-tolerant landscaping (xeriscaping). 
• A minimum of 40% of the landscaped area needs to be drought tolerant turf and/or perennials, shrubs, and trees.
• Any existing irrigation systems can be used to establish plants during the summer they are planted; once the growing season is over, the irrigation system must be decommissioned.
• Projects need to ensure 30 cm of loam depth throughout the xeriscaped area and have compost mixed into the soil prior to planting anything.
• Project must meet the landscaping requirements in the General Design and Construction Specifications 

¹ Non-functional turf: mowed turf areas that see little or no active or recreational use, yet still require substantial irrigation to remain healthy.

Required Documentation

Note that all applications will need a completed application form signed by a signing authority of the business and/or property in question and include (if applicable) a letter of approval from a Board or building owner.

1. Landscape plan sketch/area estimate
2. Proof of Town irrigation inspection and recommendations
3. Cost estimate from the landscaper and landscape architect
4. Ensure that the water utility number indicated on the application is the account used for any irrigation of the current landscape

• WaterSense labelled irrigation controllers and sprinkler bodies

• Parts for installation of irrigation master valve

• Rain sensors

• Emitter lines (drip irrigation)

• Cost of labour for professional irrigation company to cap or remove the irrigation system.

• Cost for the removal of the water meter

• If applicable, the cost for removing the system from the ground, including ground repairs

• Cost of installing drought tolerant landscaping if desired (see above for details on Water-wise Landscaping).

Required Documentation

Note that all applications will need a completed application form signed by a signing authority of the business and/or property in question and include (if applicable) a letter of approval from a Board or building owner.

1. Cost estimate/quotes for eligible expenses
2. Photos of current system/irrigation controller(s), and any other equipment being replaced
3. Ensure that the water utility number indicated on the application is the account used for irrigation of the
   current landscape
4. Proof of WaterSense certification where applicable and product specs for proposed new fixtures
    

• All projects must have prior Government of Alberta approval
• Installation of an above ground rainwater harvesting system over 1000 gallons, including irrigation, in place of the potable water supply.
• A project that involves using low impact design methods to capture storm water; or
• A project that captures rain/storm water for the purpose of reusing it in place of the potable water supply.

Required Documentation

Note that all applications will need a completed application form signed by a signing authority of the business and/or property in question and include (if applicable) a letter of approval from a Board or building owner.

1. Proof of Government of Alberta approval of the project
2. Cost estimate for eligible expenses
3. System outline/sketch

If I want to pursue a Storm Water Reuse project, how do I get approval from the Government of Alberta?

Please visit the Alberta Government website to find out how to get approval for your project.

• Project must replace high water using fixtures and appliances (e.g. faucets, toilets, commercial dishwashers, ice makers, etc.). Please contact us if you have any questions regarding a piece of high water using equipment that you would like to replace.
• Applicant must provide proof of old fixture via specifications/photos.
• High water use fixtures/appliances are replaced with WaterSense certified fixtures (where certification exists) or energy star appliances rated for water-efficiency.
• Water Savor Controller installation on flow-through humidifiers.
• Hot water recirculation pump(s) installation.

Note: In condominiums where water is metered on a building basis, rather than an individual unit basis, the condo board may apply for the program in order to see collective water and dollar savings that can be passed to the residents.

Required Documentation

Note that all applications will need a completed application form signed by a signing authority of the business and/or property in question and include (if applicable) a letter of approval from a Board or building owner.

1. Cost estimate/quotes for eligible expenses
2. Photos of current water fixtures/equipment
3. Proof of WaterSense certification where applicable¹
4. Indoor Water Use Information Document (fill out both Current-Old Fixtures & New Fixtures sections)

^{1 A photo or pdf of the certification on the product spec sheet from a website will suffice.}

Which expenses are NOT eligible for the grant?

• Supplies, materials, or labour not directly related to the project
• Office operating and maintenance expenses
• Retroactive funding for projects already initiated or completed
• Non-drought tolerant plants 
• Applicant organization’s staff wages
• New irrigation systems or replacement of irrigation system piping and rotors 
• Artificial turf and rubber mulch